Lamar Jackson’s Durability: A Tale of Triumphs and Trials
In an NFL landscape that's ever-evolving, few players have captivated fans and analysts alike quite like Lamar Jackson. Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, Jackson has a reputation for mesmerizing athleticism and a relentless drive to be the best. Despite a career punctuated by remarkable achievements, his journey has also been intermittently complicated by a series of illnesses, which he candidly addresses as an unusual part of his professional life.
"Man, I'll be thinking that sometimes because, at Louisville, I never got sick. I never was sick, but it comes and goes," Jackson reflected. Adjusting to the rigors and demands of the NFL, Jackson's health has become a variable that the Ravens continually monitor. John Harbaugh, the Ravens' head coach, reassures fans, "Lamar gets tested ... all of our guys get tested thoroughly, especially when you're sick. So, they look at every possibility."
From his debut season, Jackson has missed practices due to ailments each year. Notably, before making his first NFL start in 2018, Jackson was hospitalized with severe stomach pains. Yet, demonstrating resilience, he led the Ravens to a 24-21 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. In that breakout performance, he became the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to rush for 100 yards in his first career start. This dual-threat ability quickly established him as a formidable force in the league.
Despite these achievements, Jackson’s health remains a critical storyline. Since his rookie year, he has missed a staggering 12 practices due to various non-COVID-related illnesses. The toll of these absences on his performance and the team’s dynamic is a point of frequent conjecture, particularly highlighted during the first week of this year's training camp, where he missed four vital sessions.
Even amid these challenges, Jackson’s on-field performance has seldom faltered, earning him the NFL MVP award twice in just six seasons. His aspirations, however, go beyond personal accolades. "It's been the first checkbox for me since 2018," Jackson emphasized. "I said that April 26th, whenever I was drafted, I said that, and I meant that. That's the highest level of this game we play. So, you got to go out a champion. That's what I want to be labeled as a champion -- not just MVP here and there. I want to be a champion."
The 2021 season saw Jackson sidelined from three practices, a key loss for a player whose preparation is paramount. Though he only missed a single practice in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, as well as in 2022 and 2023, each instance posed a potential disruption to his meticulous game prep.
Jackson himself downplays the seriousness, attributing his absences to the unpredictability of illnesses. "You really never know when the bug hits you, but I got hit with a bug. I'm good now," he remarked dismissively. His optimism and ability to bounce back is a testament to his mental fortitude and commitment to his craft.
For the Ravens, Jackson is an irreplaceable asset – a quarterback whose distinctive playstyle sets him apart. His health, while an ongoing concern, hasn’t deterred his remarkable contributions to the team’s success. Balancing Jackson's health with his extraordinary skill set challenges the Ravens' coaching and medical staff, but it's a balancing act they're willing to undertake for their star player.
The narrative of Lamar Jackson in the NFL is one of extraordinary achievements tempered by the reality of human fragility. As he continues to carve out his legacy, both he and the Ravens remain vigilant, ready to tackle whatever comes their way in this relentless pursuit of glory.