Is Lamar Jackson playing tonight when the Baltimore Ravens take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 of the 2021 NFL preseason? After the Ravens took an extended look at their backup quarterbacks in Week 1, could this week be Jackson’s return to the field for the first time since January?
Is Lamar Jackson playing tonight?
John Harbaugh is playing it coy with the availability of Jackson in the game tonight. Even though the game does not matter in the grand scheme of things, Harbaugh appears to be playing mind games with Matt Rhule and Carolina’s coaches.
“That’s kind of our thing, just as you know, not to really talk about who’s playing and who’s not playing. We just kind of take it as it comes and play it out.”
Tyler Huntley started the game for the Ravens. That likely means we will not see Jackson at all in Week 2 of the NFL preseason.
A flair for making highlight plays in the preseason could be a concern
During previous preseason games, Jackson has made highlight plays that have been replayed over and over. However, while it is fun to watch, it likely leaves Ravens coaches and fans holding their breath.
Those types of plays are what have made Jackson the player he is. However, in games where the results do not matter, those flair plays are fraught with danger. With players looking to make a name for themselves on the field, a hasty tackle could leave the Ravens without their former MVP for the 2021 season.
Jackson has yet to miss a game through injury in his career
One of the major concerns with Jackson’s playstyle is the risk of injury. However, throughout his NFL career, Jackson is yet to miss a game because of injury. He has missed two games since becoming the starter, however. The first absence came when the Ravens rested him at the end of the 2019 NFL season. The second was due to Jackson testing positive for COVID-19.
There was a heart-stopping moment for Ravens fans in 2020. He left the field during the game with an apparent leg injury. However, it was only a cramp, and he was able to return to the field. He’d go on to lead the team to a victory over their division rival, the Cleveland Browns.
Ben Rolfe is a Senior Managing Editor at Pro Football Network and is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA). You can find him on Twitter @BenRolfePFN.