Ravens to Start Lamar Jackson over Healthy Joe Flacco

Lamar Jackson with Baltimore Ravens in 2018
Lamar Jackson with Baltimore Ravens in 2018. Photo by John Mersits/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9795810bd)

Baltimore Ravens were forced to start rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson in the past four weeks with starter Joe Flacco being out with a hip injury. Now that Flacco is healthy again, most people expected him to be named starter once again, but Ravens had other plans.

Baltimore’s head coach John Harbaugh announced on Wednesday that Jackson would remain the team’s starting quarterback, with Flacco serving as his backup. According to Harbaugh, he feels that the 21-year-old rookie gives them the best chance to be successful.

Every decision is based on what makes us the strongest possible team we can be. That’s what it boils down to,” – said Harbaugh. “That’s how we feel about this decision, and we’re rolling.

The Baltimore Ravens were in the danger of dropping out of playoff race completely four weeks ago, but Lamar Jackson’s presence at quarterback position propelled them to three wins in the last four games and put the team in good position to claim one of the two wild-card spots in the AFC.

Jackson completed 52 out of 89 attempted passes for 600 yards and three touchdowns in his four games as a starter. He also rushed for 336 yards and two touchdowns in the same period.

I didn’t really have a reaction to when he was telling me,” – said Jackson of Harbaugh’s decision to keep him as a starter. “I just know I have to focus on everything a lot more to better myself.”

Joe Flacco, who was never a backup since coming into the league in 2008, said he wasn’t too surprised by his coach’s decision.

My overall thought about is obviously disappointed that I can’t be part of this team in the same capacity I have been for a long time,” – said Flacco. “You always have to be ready and stay sharp and be ready to get the call at any point.

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