usatoday
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, and he proved that again this week by engaging with a fan's social media critique. The fan, known as "mrpowell78" on TikTok, posted a video on October 27 accusing the Ravens of not being transparent about the severity of Jackson's injuries. The video specifically pointed to Jackson's high ankle sprain, which he suffered at the end of the first half in the Ravens' Week 4 victory over the Tennessee Titans, and argued that the team consistently labels him as "day-to-day" when the injury is more serious.
Jackson, who has missed three and a half games since the injury, with Tyler "Snoop" Huntley filling in, took to the comments section to reply. "[People] like you are the ones I play so hard for," the quarterback wrote, showing appreciation for the fan's support. The fan's video also claimed that Jackson faces more criticism for his injuries than other players, such as Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1. The fan further asserted that Jackson cannot "play hurt" like other quarterbacks and compared him to a Lamborghini while calling other quarterbacks a Chevy Cobalt.
Injury Timeline and Return
Jackson's high ankle sprain has kept him out since Week 4, and he did not practice in Weeks 5 and 6. He returned to limited practice ahead of Week 7 but ultimately missed the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, which the Ravens lost, dropping them to last place in the AFC North. On October 23, Jackson told reporters he was "headed in the right direction" but needed to feel like himself before returning. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Jackson is expected to play in Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, November 1. "I expect, based on the people I've spoken with, that Lamar Jackson will play this week," Rapoport said on October 27. "He is believed to be as close to 100% as he has been, and the Ravens do expect him to play."
Rapoport Clarifies Previous Report
Rapoport also addressed a lighthearted exchange with Jackson regarding a previous report. When asked on October 23 if he had suffered a deltoid sprain, Jackson said he was told it was a high ankle sprain and jokingly questioned Rapoport's credentials: "Ian Rapoport said that? He part of the training staff? So we can't go off Ian Rapoport. He's just reporting. Somebody probably told him that too though, so can't blame him." Rapoport clarified that he had reported it was not a typical high ankle sprain, and he took Jackson's comments as a joke. "Watch it with a normal brain. He was funny," Rapoport said. "I had said it was not a typical high ankle sprain – it was not. They told him it's a high ankle sprain because it's not low, it's fine."
Quarterback Depth Chart
Behind Jackson, the Ravens have Tyler Huntley, who is 1-2 in three starts this season. Huntley is in his second year of his third stint with Baltimore and his seventh overall year with the team, all as a backup or practice squad quarterback. Rookie Joe Fagnano, who signed as an undrafted free agent in April, has not yet appeared in a regular-season game. With Jackson expected back, the Ravens hope to rebound from their last-place standing in the AFC North as they face the Bills in Week 8.
Originally reported by usatoday.