Joe Flacco is expected to be active for the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday for the first time in over a month, but that does not necessarily mean the veteran is going to play.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh announced on Wednesday that rookie Lamar Jackson will continue to be the team’s starting quarterback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Harbaugh: “I’ll say this: Lamar Jackson is the starting quarterback.”
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) December 12, 2018
Harbaugh said decision is what gives team best chance to win right now.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) December 12, 2018
Harbaugh said earlier in the week that Flacco is “too good of a player” to not be involved in the game plan if he is cleared to play, so it’s possible the Ravens will have some packages for both quarterbacks. However, they remain in playoff contention and have won three of the four games Jackson has started, with the only loss coming in overtime on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs last week. Harbaugh will need to be careful not to disrupt the flow of a team that has played well.
Jackson did not post a passer rating higher than 74.5 in Baltimore’s three wins that he started, but his contributions in the running game have allowed the Ravens to control the clock and keep defenses on their toes. He has also dealt with some injuries of his own, though they turned out to be minor.
With Flacco now recovered from his hip injury, Jackson may be on a shorter leash. If the Ravens continue to play well, he could secure his job as the team’s starting QB of the future.
