How many games has Lamar Jackson missed in his career? Ravens QB's absence explored
As the Lamar Jackson saga continues without an offer thrown his way, there may be a reason.
Ever since joining the NFL in 2018, the Baltimore Raven established himself as one of the league's most dangerous quarterbacks. From 2018 to 2020, he never missed a single game, both in the regular season and the playoffs.
Although he missed a couple of practices and sustained a concussion during the 2020 Divisional playoffs, they were not enough to rule him out for long.
Lately, however, it seems as though he cannot stay healthy enough to last an entire campaign. That said, let's look at the numbers.
Lamar Jackson has missed the final week in each of his last two seasons
2021 marked the first time Jackson sustained a significant injury. During a Week 14 loss against the Cleveland Browns, he was tackled by linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. He was replaced for the rest of the game by Tyler Huntley.
Jackson was diagnosed with an ankle injury and ultimately had to watch from the bench as the Ravens tumbled from 8-3 and missed the playoffs.
He looked to rebound in 2022, and he did well, guiding the Ravens to yet another 8-3 start ahead of a Week 13 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Alas, he hurt his PCL on a sack from yet another linebacker, Jonathon Cooper. After three weeks of waiting, he was ruled out for the rest of the season for the second time in his career.
The Ravens did make the playoffs at 10-7 and even sent Huntley to the Pro Bowl, but without their starting QB, they fell to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card Round.
Which team(s) still want Lamar Jackson?
Despite Meek Mill's text, the New England Patriots are no longer interested in the disgruntled Raven. But that does not mean other teams are unwilling to negotiate with him.
Last month, former agent Joel Corry, now writing for CBS Sports, outlined an ideal contract for the QB: $210 million for four years, $150 million guaranteed. Shortly after, however. the Louisville alum requested a trade, so the team franchise-tagged him, allowing him to approach other teams.
One team that could use his services would be the New York Jets. While the chances of Aaron Rodgers entering the Big Apple are still high, talks have reportedly stalled over what the Green Bay Packers will get for him. If talks do collapse, then Jackson can step in to fill the void, provided he agrees to a reasonable contract first.