Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is slated to return in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins after missing the last three weeks with a hamstring injury picked up in the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Given Jackson’s play style and how crucial his mobility and ability to tuck and run are, the Ravens will have to be cautious, given it is Lamar’s first game in over a month.
But that is from the coaching side of it, what about from Lamar’s side?
A hamstring injury is something that has the chance to linger, and given how Jackson plays, will there be any mental demons for No. 8 the first time he takes off?
“I don’t foresee any of that, I’m focused on winning,” Jackson said. “I’m out there, let’s play football.”
More: Ravens’ Lamar Jackson reveals ‘very challenging’ aspect of month-long injury
Jackson has to exorcise mental demons vs. Miami
Lamar says that he won’t be thinking about his injury when he steps on the field, but he wouldn’t be human if he did, right?
It will likely take his first run of the game to be fully content with his hamstring, but until that happens and he has to step on the gas in a real game, there will always be doubts about whether his hamstring will hold up.
Yes, things would have been done in practice, but nothing can prepare you for live NFL bullets.
Given that running is a bit part of Baltimore’s offensive arsenal, Lamar will be asked to take off at some point on Thursday night, and when he does and emerges from it unscathed, a collective sigh of relief will likely follow.
Then Jackson can truly go “play football.”
More Ravens news:
