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After getting snaps each game either at quarterback or receiver, Ravens rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson believes that he is prepared to make his first start.
“I’m going into it like any other week, just preparing for whatever,” Jackson said on Wednesday. “I feel I’ll be very prepared. I’m trying to [get] everything in. I’m trying to learn the ins and outs, so whatever happens, happens.”
Jackson isn’t the only person that expects that he is prepared for the job. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg has watched the young quarterback put in the necessary work during and after practice.
“We’ll see on Sunday who it is, but Lamar and Robert [Griffin III] and all of our players prepare like they’re starting – even if they’re not up, even if they’re on the practice squad – like they’re starters, because it pays off at some point when they get their opportunity,” Mornhinweg said. “So, all of our players prepare like they’re starting the next ball game. Great experience for them, and it does pay off when they get their opportunity.”
Selected with the 32nd pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Jackson was anointed of Baltimore’s quarterback position — sitting behind 10-year starter Joe Flacco and backup Robert Griffin III. In nine games this season, Jackson has 28 rushes for 139 yards and a touchdown, as well as going 7-for-12 on passes (58.3%) for 87 yards and a touchdown.
After Flacco injured his right hip against the Steelers before the bye week, it was expected that Jackson could be given a chance to start. On Wednesday, Jackson was one of two quarterbacks on the field — the other being Griffin III. It’s still an uncertainty as to who will start on Sunday. Flacco (right hip) and Jackson (illness) didn’t practice on Thursday with Griffin III taking all of the snaps at quarterback.
Though Flacco wasn’t spotted on the field, he was spotted in the locker room walking around. It’s still a possibility that he plays against the Bengals without practicing the entire week, according to Mornhinweg.
“I think Joe would do very, very well without practice, because he has experience, he’s a smart guy, he knows how to prepare – all of those things,” Mornhinweg said of Flacco. “He has all of those things. I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t play really well without any practice.”