“Lamar Jackson: “I’m Tired of Fighting with…”
Baltimore, MD (July 31, 2024) – Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson candidly addressed his ongoing health issues during a press conference, expressing frustration over his frequent illnesses since joining the team. “I’m tired of fighting with this constant bad luck,” Jackson said. “At Louisville, I never got sick. I never was sick, but it comes and goes.”
Jackson, who has missed at least one practice each season due to illness since being drafted by the Ravens in 2018, recently underwent medical tests following an absence from training camp. Despite the recurring nature of his illnesses, the two-time NFL MVP assured reporters, “You really never know when the bug hits you, but I got hit with a bug. I’m good now.”
Jackson’s health is of paramount importance to the Ravens, a team heavily reliant on his dual-threat capabilities. As ESPN’s Jamison Hensley noted, Jackson has been sidelined for a total of 12 practices with non-COVID-related illnesses, including four in the first week of this year’s training camp. Yet, Jackson emphasized that he doesn’t believe he has a chronic condition.
“Jackson’s first significant illness with the Ravens dates back to when he was preparing for his first NFL start,” Hensley wrote. Despite being hospitalized for stomach pains three days before replacing an injured Joe Flacco midway through the 2018 season, Jackson led Baltimore to a 24-21 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, becoming the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to rush for 100 yards in his first career start.
Throughout his career, practice sessions have often been the primary casualty of Jackson’s illnesses. He missed one practice due to illness in 2019 and 2020, three practices in 2021, and one practice each in 2022 and 2023. The only game of note he missed due to illness was a Week 11 matchup against the Chicago Bears in 2021, which the Ravens won 16-13, thanks to a strong performance by backup quarterback Tyler Huntley.
While Jackson’s illnesses have occasionally disrupted practice, they have rarely impacted the Ravens’ game-day performance. His absence has been more keenly felt due to injuries, such as the ankle problem that sidelined him for the final four games of the 2021 season, resulting in a damaging 0-4 run that cost the Ravens a playoff spot. Similarly, a knee sprain kept Jackson out during the business end of the 2022 season, leading to a first-round playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Ravens’ dependence on Jackson is underscored by their record with and without him. According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, the Ravens have won 46 of 65 games (71%) with Jackson but only 8 of 22 games (36%) without him.
Jackson’s assurance that he’s “good now” is welcome news for the Ravens as they prepare for the upcoming season. Ensuring their star quarterback remains healthy is crucial for the team’s Super Bowl aspirations and for Jackson to silence his critics once and for all.
