Robert Griffin III is maybe probably the most certified individual relating to discussing the predicament Lamar Jackson confronted over the previous week. Griffin, in any case, noticed the trajectory of his profession change dramatically after he performed by means of severe accidents throughout a playoff sport throughout his rookie season.
That could also be why Griffin defended Jackson’s resolution to not play within the Ravens’ Super Wild Card Weekend sport in opposition to the Bengals, as he continues to cope with a PCL sprain that was sustained on Dec. 4. Vick’s resolution has led to criticism that included former NFL quarterback Michael Vick advising him to “put a brace on it” on nationwide tv previous to kickoff.
Griffin, by way of social media, responded to Vick’s feedback whereas displaying his help for Jackson. Griffin’s submit additionally included an image of the play that noticed him additional injure his knee late in Washington’s 2012 wild card playoff loss to Seattle. Griffin, who performed in that sport regardless of struggling a PCL sprain weeks earlier, was by no means the identical participant after he underwent offseason surgical procedure on his knee.
“This is why you do not simply put a brace on it and play,” Griffin wrote. “Played with no ACL and LCL for my brothers/workforce. Changed the trajectory of my profession. Hindsight is 20/20. I did not have the luxurious of that. Lamar does. He is DOING THE RIGHT THING.”
Fortunately for Jackson, he didn’t put himself ready to additional injure himself by going through the Bengals. In his absence, backup Tyler Huntley performed nicely sufficient to just about lead the Ravens to an upset. Sam Hubbard’s 98-yard fumble return of a Huntley fumble was the distinction between the 2 groups in what was an evenly matched sport.
“No, I do not suppose you possibly can play like that,” Ravens tight finish Mark Andrews stated when requested afterward if the Ravens would have gained with Jackson underneath middle. “Obviously, like I stated, the best way that Tyler was enjoying was superb, and we had an opportunity to win this sport — greater than an opportunity to win this sport. I really feel like we managed this sport from begin to end, and it simply did not flip our manner.”
A extra telling postgame quote was authored by Ravens defensive mark Marlon Humphrey, who supplied a clear replace on the bodily state of Jackson.
“I do not even know if I ought to say this, however he is like limping across the facility,” Humphrey stated, by way of ESPN. “That’s sort of the loopy factor that folks do not see.”
By prioritizing his well being, Jackson didn’t jeopardize his future as he prepares to enter a scenario the place he would have had no leverage had he gotten injured. Jackson’s rookie contract is ready to expired after he and the Ravens couldn’t agree on an extension earlier than the season.