Getty Image / Kevin Sabitus
It’s been over a month since Lamar Jackson featured in an NFL game, and according to the latest reports, it might be a bit longer until fans see him back on the field.
As reported by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport on Wednesday morning, Jackson is facing an “uphill battle” to be ready for the Baltimore Ravens Wild Card round game against the Cincinnati Bengals, their AFC North rivals and defending AFC champions. The matchup between the Ravens and Bengals is scheduled for Sunday night at 8:15 p.m. EST.
“The people I’ve spoken with [say] it’s not looking good for Lamar Jackson, which is, I would say, a little bit of a surprise,” Rapoport began.
“If you go back, December 4 was the last time he played — battling a PCL sprain. There we so many people involved who thought, ‘Alright, well, if Lamar’s not going to play for the regular season, surely he will be ready for the playoffs.'”
“However, my understanding — this is something sources have said over the course of the past 24 hours — is that Lamar Jackson faces an uphill battle to be able to get out on the field in the playoffs against the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s working, he’s trying, he’s rehabbing, but the knee is just not quite right.”
From @GMFB: #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (PCL) faces an uphill battle to play vs. the #Bengals in their Wild Card game, per me and @MikeGarafolo. More uncertainty. … Meanwhile, Baltimore paid LB Roquan Smith on a 5-year, $100M deal. pic.twitter.com/85Nbo8AefH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2023
Jackson’s injury, of course, also comes with the added context that he’s set to be a free agent in the coming months if he does not sign a new deal with the Ravens, which certainly feels like it’s becoming more and more unlikely.
In addition to the game between the Bengals and the Ravens, the AFC playoffs will feature matchups between Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night and the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon.
The Kansas City Chiefs, the #1 overall seed in the division, have a bye week during the Wild Card round, as does the Philadelphia Eagles over in the NFC.