Lamar Jackson is currently listed as doubtful to play for the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 when they take on the Green Bay Packers. His back injury comes at a pivotal point in their season, as a loss this week would eliminate them from playoff contention.
A former Super Bowl champion called out the quarterback for an apparent lack of urgency to get back on the field.
Lamar Jackson Called Out for Week 17 Injury Status
The Ravens must defeat the Packers on Saturday night in Week 17 or their hopes of making it back to the playoffs this year are officially over. The crucial nature of this contest has Willie Colon calling out Jackson for not being insistent on playing, regardless of his back injury. He explained why during a recent “First Things First” episode.
“Lamar Jackson owes it to his team to be out there … Lamar Jackson gives his team the best opportunity to win … This team knows what life is without you, and it wasn’t a good one … You got to do everything you can to be out there and fighting with your brothers. I’m frustrated that this is even a question … You have to be out there when you got to have it and your team needs you to lead the charge … I’m disappointed in Lamar Jackson, I thought he was a tougher quarterback than this,” stated Colon.
Colon pointed out that Justin Herbert returned for the Los Angeles Chargers just days after having hand surgery to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles.
.@willcolon66 says Lamar Jackson owes it to his teammates to suit up Saturday night:
“Especially when you look across and see Justin Herbert basically peel himself off the surgery table to play Monday night against the Eagles, and win.” pic.twitter.com/hsmXESjWP2
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) December 26, 2025
He also mentioned that their rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, are also dealing a quarterback injury and Aaron Rodgers has been playing through it with a cast on his hand. He believes that both of these are examples of why Jackson should play through whatever back issue he’s currently dealing with.
The Ravens are out of the Wild Card race and trail the Steelers, with an injured Rodgers, in the race for the AFC North division title. If they lose to the Packers or if the Steelers defeat the Cleveland Browns this week, the Ravens will be eliminated from the playoff picture.
Colon questioned why Jackson had not come out and demanded that he play this week, despite an injury, like some of the other playoff-hopeful quarterbacks.
If he doesn’t play, that would leave Tyler Huntley as their starting quarterback in a win-or-go-home game against a difficult opponent. He came in as a backup to play about half of their game against the New England Patriots and finished just 23rd in PFSN’s Impact Rankings among all quarterbacks who played last week.
