Lamar Jackson was knocked out of the Baltimore Ravens ’17-3 AFC regional playoff loss at the Buffalo Bills, delivering a sad end to the NFL MVP’ s reigning season.
Jackson suffered a concussion on the final play of the third quarter, when his head bounced back and hit the turf in the end zone at Bills Stadium. He was subsequently taken out for the entire fourth quarter of the Ravens, who has not advanced past the regional tour from Mile High Miracle in eight years.
Afterwards, Jackson was cleared to return home on the team’s flight, a source told ESPN.
“He ‘s sorry. He’ s doing well,” Buffalo wide receiver Willie Snead IV said to Jackson after the tournament. “He said he’s well off the decision but he’s sorry we were so close we didn’t finish drivers. He’s the final competitor. He doesn’t like to lose.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh refused to explain Jackson’s status.
“It was ruled by a decision, and that’s where it stands,” Harbaugh said.
A week after capturing his first postseason win, Jackson failed to make a tour for the first time since the first NFL debut in November 2018. His streak of 39 straight games with at least one touchdown, run or pass, the longest active. in the league.
Jackson’s head injury came two plays after he tossed the second-six pick of his career. Driving down to Buffalo’s 9-yard line, Jackson looked down Mark Andrews ’tight end and was picked up in the red belt for the first time in his 41-year starting career.
Bill’s backup Taron Johnson knocked out Jackson and returned the 101-yard interception for the score. Instead of tying the game at 10, two ravens fell on the Ravens.
Snead said the Ravens heard all week on social media how Jackson had thrown 49 touchdowns and no interceptions within the 20-yard line.
“That kind of jinxed us right there,” Snead said with a smile. “[Johnson] just pressing hard on Mark, and [Jackson] i haven’t seen it. It’s just one of those plays where he threw it and [Johnson] leum e. It just sucks. It was a big move in the game. “
Uncontracted rookie Tyler Huntley finished the game at quarterback for Baltimore. The Ravens’ more experienced backup quarterbacks – Robert Griffin III and Trace McSorley – are injured.
Jackson was harassed throughout the game by the Bills and always wiped out rush-wraps in his pocket. He weighed 55% of his obstacles, the highest point of his career.
On the final play of the third quarter, Jackson went after a lump that floated over his head and threw the ball away before it was brought down to the ground. Buffalo line player Tremaine Edmunds would weave out Jackson’s legs and defensive end Trent Murphy would harass Jackson high, driving him on his back.
Asked if the windmills affected the erroneous bumps with Ravens center Patrick Mekari, Harbaugh said, “I’m sure the wind was part of that, and I’m sure there were other issues as well that I didn’t sure I can comment at this point. I was on the side; I was not out there [on the field]. “
As soon as he kicked Jackson’s back out of the turf, he immediately grabbed his helmet with both hands. He then threw his hands up in disgrace as he walked into the locker room with a trainer.
“He’s a tough guy,” Andrews said. “So whenever you see it go down, you know it feels something.”
This is believed to be the second time Jackson has been included in the concussion protocol. In his third start (December 2018), Jackson was scrutinized after he was accidentally hit at the bottom of Ronnie Stanley’s left tackle at the Atlanta Falcons but returned to the game again.
Saturday night, Jackson never returned from the locker room, marking just the second time he was unable to finish a game due to injury.
“It’s just a decent moment,” Snead said. “Just the competitor, I know he just wants to be out there and finish the game for us and give us a chance to come back.”
Similar to Jackson’s previous playoff losses in 2018 and 2019, the Ravens struggled insultingly, tying a franchise record for the fewest points in a playoff game. Baltimore lost at the Indianapolis Colts 20-3 in the 2009 AFC regional tour.
Jackson was held to a 14-of-24 pass for 162 yards, which puts even more emphasis on developing as a passer next season.
“He’ll look back on the whole season and make those changes he needs to make to become an even more elite quarterback,” Snead said. “There are steps he can take, and he knows that. That’s the competitor in wanting to get better every off-season, fix the little things and keep going. better as a traveler.
“If he knocks down that part of his game and reaches his full potential in that area, the sky is the highest for Lamar. It’s only a matter of time. He’s really on I think this game is going to be a wake-up call for this offseason. We’ll see what he does next year. “