The Injury
The Baltimore Raven’s quarterback, Lamar Jackson, has been out with a sprained PCL since Week 13. Now with the season coming to a close, the question arises. Does Lamar Jackson come back this season?
According to Ravens writer Clifton Brown, Jim Harbaugh said, “we’ll just have to see,” when asked whether Lamar Jackson will play this week.
QB Lamar Jackson (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of the game.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 4, 2022
Remaining Schedule
Week 17 versus the Steelers in Baltimore and Week 18 at the Bengals are the only games left on the Ravens’ schedule. The Ravens have clinched the playoffs and will host the wild card game if they win both final games. With one loss, the Ravens will play their first playoff game on the road.
The real question the coaching staff needs to ask is whether they need a home-field advantage in the wild card round. If the team values that more than allowing Jackson to be completely healthy throughout the playoffs, they may want to help him get in as soon as possible.
Ravens Home Field Advantage
The Baltimore Ravens have played eight games away from their home crowd this season. Their away record has been five wins and three losses leading up to Week 17. With seven games at home this season, the Ravens have only lost one on their home field.
Whether we want to admit home-field advantage or not, it is statistically proven to be an irrefutable factor in the NFL and all other sports. Having this advantage could be extremely helpful in the postseason for the Ravens.
Should Lamar Jackson Come Back This Season?
Although keeping Lamar Jackson out for the rest of the season would be good for his health, it may not be suitable for his playing ability.
Keeping players from playing in real game time does affect them when they have been out for some time. Letting Jackson get in to help this struggling offense would not just help them secure home-field advantage. Putting Lamar in would help him get his rhythm in a game to help in-game chemistry with his teammates.
Game time is not always necessary for all players, but it will help Lamar and the key players around him get into that rhythm when they need it most.
The Raven’s coaching staff has a tough decision ahead of them leading into the postseason.
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