According to ESPN, Quarterback Lamar Jackson will not be playing in Week 17 as the Baltimore Ravens face the Pittsburgh Steelers. Additionally, Mark Ingram will sit out with a mild to moderate calf strain. The hope, of course, is that Ingram will have no lasting issues and be ready to go by the playoffs.
While it won’t be nearly as exciting watching the Ravens without the multi-talented Jackson at the helm, Ravens fans are rejoicing that their team has already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC and will have the home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They clenched that advantage with their 31-15 win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. That victory was a bit of payback as well after their loss to the Browns back in late September. Since, then, outside of one loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens have been stellar.
Coach Harbaugh confirms Lamar Jackson, Marshal Yanda, Brandon Williams, Mark Ingram and Earl Thomas will not play Sunday. pic.twitter.com/7wVoflXJjX
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 23, 2019
According to coach John Harbaugh, Robert Griffin III will start in place of Jackson against the Steelers. Griffin, plagued with injuries throughout his career, has seen limited playing time as the Ravens’ backup quarterback, but is certainly capable. The Steelers need a win on Sunday, but also need the Tennessee Titans to lose to the Houston Texans. Even if the Steelers lose, they could still reach the playoffs but would lose control of their own destiny and need some help.
In addition to sitting Jackson and Ingram, the Ravens will also sit guard Marshal Yanda, safety Earl Thomas and defensive tackle Brandon Williams.
