Lamar Jackson is just fine.
Well, that’s what he’s telling us at least. He said so again after the Ravens’ fifth straight win, a 23-10 victory against the Jets in Week 12.
On since coming back from injury this season, if there has been a game where he’s felt fully healthy: “I can’t call it, but I’m out there, so I feel like I should still be able to do what I do.”
On if his ankle bothered him at all during the game: “No, it was pretty solid for the most part. It was pretty solid.”
On if he thinks his injuries are hindering the offense at all: “No. No, I don’t think that at all. I feel like we just need to execute a lot better. We get in great field position, but we’re not putting points on the board. That has nothing to do with an injury. We just need to put points on the board right there.”
So there you have it, right? Everything is good. Nothing to see here.
Except, well, there appears to be something to see here.
After returning from a hamstring injury that cost him three games (and change after he went down during the loss to the Chiefs), Lamar Jackson has looked … not particularly Lamar Jackson-like. He’s certainly had his moments. He threw for four touchdowns against the Dolphins. He’s made some big throws to Zay Flowers in particular. But he’s just looked … not a whole lot like Lamar Jackson, honestly.
The third-and-3 play I referenced above occurred on the Ravens’ second possession of the game. And while Jackson nearly pulled off a miraculous downfield heave to Isaiah Likely, the Ravens ultimately punted from their own 13-yard line.
It came after another head-scratcher on the first drive. Jackson decelerated when he got outside on first-and-10 from the 29-yard line with only a spy to beat. He picked up 6 yards before getting out of bounds, but Jackson one-on-one with a defender (in this case Jets cornerback Isaiah Oliver) should be an almost unfair advantage for Jackson.
This is a nuanced conversation. If you’re reading this — or only read whatever the accompanying headline or callout was on social media — save the “you’re really blaming the Ravens’ offensive problems on Lamar running? Have you watched the offensive line?” takes. I’m not. And I have.
There’s no doubt that the Ravens have a problem up front.
Right or wrong, they clearly don’t believe they have more desirable alternatives for the offensive line. I have felt as though they needed to speed up the offense in general, either getting the ball out of Jackson’s hands quicker or, you know, getting him downfield quicker.
I just wonder if Jackson is really capable of getting downfield quicker. I’ve been confused by Jackson’s apparent lack of interest in taking off in the last couple of seasons. A year ago, his mother was apparently the one to get him to recognize he needed to take off more.
It’s been apparent that Jackson wants to hang in the pocket and let plays develop downfield. He just hasn’t wanted to run as much, whether that’s because he thinks it will help him stay healthy or because he thinks the offense is better if he’s passing. He’s currently attempting 5.75 rushes per game in 2025, which would be about 2.5 fewer attempts per game than his previous career low (8.2 last year).
But this year there’s a serious question as to whether his reluctance to take off is about football preferences or health limitations. Since the hamstring injury, Jackson has had ankle and knee designations and has missed the last two Wednesday practices. He’s dismissive of questions about the topic, which, if we’re being fair, he has to be even if the injuries are a factor in his performance. There’s no benefit to Jackson saying anything about it. He doesn’t want to announce to the Bengals that they don’t need to worry about him taking off during the Thanksgiving night game.
It’s impossible for me to dismiss the role that various injuries appear to be playing in the version of Jackson we’re seeing right now. Still, the Ravens have reeled off five straight wins (including one with Tyler Huntley under center) despite not having MVP-caliber play from their quarterback. However, they face AFC North rivals the next three weeks and then the Patriots and Packers before a possible playoff run. They’ll need more from their quarterback as the schedule gets tougher.
Because for as good as the Ravens’ defense has been against the likes of Tyrod Taylor, Dillon Gabriel, Shadeur Sanders, J.J. McCarthy and Tua Tagovailoa, it can’t be assumed the unit will be as dominant against the rest of the offenses it’s going to face. The Ravens still need their Superman.
Perhaps Jackson is easing his way back into that Superman level. Perhaps the 10 days off after the Thanksgiving night game might help him recuperate. But if the injuries (or one specific injury, perhaps?) are going to prevent Jackson from fully reaching that level in the coming weeks, I have serious doubts about whether the Ravens can keep this run going to February.
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