Coming off of his second MVP award since being drafted in 2018, Lamar Jackson is eager to get back on the field and aim to get over the hump in the postseason.
Last year, the Baltimore Ravens fell short in the AFC Championship Game to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. It was a bitter end to what was another stellar campaign for Jackson. He’s coming for it all in 2024, but will he be able to play in the Ravens’ first preseason game tonight against the Philadelphia Eagles?
The Latest on Lamar Jackson’s Playing Status Versus the Eagles
While Ravens fans are itching to see their star quarterback return to the field, they may have to wait for Week 1 to do so. It was revealed earlier this week that Jackson won’t be playing in the preseason opener against the Eagles, according to Josh Alper of NBC Sports.
“There’s been no word about the plan for Jackson for the rest of the preseason. Harbaugh said at his press conference that some starters will see action in the preseason, but indicated it was likely to come later in the schedule.”
How To Watch Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens
Here’s how fans can watch the Friday night preseason battle taking place at M&T Bank Stadium.
Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Live streaming options: NFL+, Sling TV, Fubo
Friday is a three-game slate, with the Atlanta Falcons facing off against the Miami Dolphins, along with the Houston Texans taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
What To Expect From Jackson in 2024
Nothing has changed coaching-wise, as Todd Monken is still the team’s offensive coordinator. Monken is entering his second year as the play-caller, which is beneficial for Jackson considering how well the Ravens’ offense performed last season.
The big addition to the offense was running back Derrick Henry. Henry’s been touted as a durable, big-bodied monster of a ball carrier that has no regard for human life when he has the rock in his hands. The Ravens cycled through multiple running backs over the years due to injuries, but they now they have a true No. 1 option to pair with Jackson in the backfield.
As for Jackson, his weapons remain mostly the same as well. Zay Flowers is hoping to make a second-year leap after putting up a respectable 858 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie in 2023. Jackson’s favorite target, tight end Mark Andrews, returns healthy following a season riddled with injuries.
The Ravens had one of the most dynamic offenses in the league last year, posing a 13% explosive-run rate and 8% explosive-pass rate, good for sixth and 15th in the league, respectively. Jackson’s second MVP season saw him record 3,678 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also added another 821 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Jackson’s progression as a passer over the years has been remarkable to watch. He’s learned the balance between when to stay in the pocket and deliver tough throws and when to bail and rely on his legs to extend plays. Ravens fans should expect business as usual going into 2024. The only difference they need to see is results in the playoffs.
In their loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, the Ravens went away from letting Lamar run. He only had eight carries for 54 yards.
Does Jackson Have a New Supporting Cast?
As mentioned previously, Henry was the marquee addition for the offense. Henry’s coming off of a 2023 campaign where he rushed for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns on 4.2 yards per carry with the Tennessee Titans.
Other than that, it’s mostly new depth that the Ravens added to the wide receiver room. Russell Gage and Deonte Harty are the two notable backup options behind Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor. They also drafted Devontez Walker in the fourth round out of North Carolina.
As for the quarterback unit, Josh Johnson is the main backup behind Jackson. Johnson, infamously known for bouncing around the league with numerous teams, was with the Ravens during the 2021 season. He returns to serve as the team’s No. 2 option. With Jackson not playing against the Eagles on Friday night, it’ll be the Johnson Show until further notice.
