Lamar Jackson has heard about the latest gossip about him, and he has struck back.
Last week, just as the Baltimore Ravens quarterback was set to miss the eventual Week 17 win at the Green Bay Packers, the Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston alleged that he had been sleeping during John Harbaugh’s team meetings:
“The breakdown of an NFL player’s body is natural, but Jackson could help himself. … He needs to train more around The Castle instead of only attending mandatory minicamps, where he disappears after one day.”
Naturally, he denied those rumors during his media availability on Thursday:
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“Do you think Harbaugh let me fall asleep at his meeting? That’s crazy. I’m right in front (of you).”
He also affirmed that he wanted to remain a Raven in the long term:
“Absolutely.”
Lamar Jackson assures he will play in division-deciding Game 272 at Steelers
Game 272 this Sunday cannot be more important for Lamar Jackson, who has seen the Ravens both struggle and stay alive in the playoff hunt in his absence. And he made this assurance when asked about whether he would play during the same media availability:
“One hundred percent. I’m gonna be out there. [I’ve been] doing a lot of treatment, trying to get the contusion out of there, as much as possible, but I feel great right now.”
While Jackson is certain to have his first full week of practice in a while, one of his primary passing targets, Rashod Bateman, missed practice for a second straight day with illness. So did edge rusher Kyle Van Noy, albeit because of a quad injury. Off-ball linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) was limited for a second straight day.
Four players, meanwhile, were upgraded to full from limited:
- FB Patrick Ricard (ankle)
- TE Charlie Kolar (nose)
- OT Ronnie Stanley (knee)
- G Andrew Vorhees (foot)
- DT Taven Bryan (knee)
On the Steelers’ side, star pass rusher TJ Watt was limited for the second straight day.