Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has not been practicing this week because of a hip injury, leading many to speculate that we could see rookie first-round pick Lamar Jackson get his first NFL start against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. However, the Ravens could opt for their veteran backup instead.
As Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic noted on Wednesday, the Ravens have said Robert Griffin III is an option to start, and RG3 has been preparing accordingly.
Ravens have continually mentioned Griffin as an option to start even if it seems unlikely.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) November 14, 2018
Robert Griffin III said he’s preparing this week like he does every week. Hasn’t been active all year but he could be Sunday with Flacco ailing.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) November 14, 2018
Jackson has also been preparing as though he could start, and the Ravens are not sharing much information about their contingency plan should Flacco be forced to sit.
Baltimore is 4-5, so John Harbaugh will play the quarterback he believes gives the team the best chance to win if Flacco is unable to go. The Ravens would undoubtedly start Jackson if they were out of playoff contention, but that is not the case. It’s worth noting that RG3 was ahead of Jackson on the depth chart at one point, so it remains to be seen if that is still the case.
