Quarterback Joe Flacco missed practice because of a right hip injury on Wednesday, the first day after Baltimore Ravens’ bye week, leading to speculation that rookie Lamar Jackson might start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Ravens.
Head coach John Harbaugh said earlier in the week that Flacco doesn’t need to practice in order to play, and wound not get into what-ifs.
“I don’t feel like we owe anybody answers,” Harbaugh told reporters. “We’re just getting ready to play the game. “We’ll just see how it goes.”
Flacco sustained the hip injury in the Ravens’ Week 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers when he landed awkwardly on his right knee early in the game.
Jackson would get the first start of his career if Flacco can’t go on Sunday, and the Ravens also could activate Robert Griffin III to back him up.
“I feel like I’d be very prepared,” said Jackson, the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner from Louisville. “I’m trying to sponge everything in. Whatever happens, will happen.
“Before I had to ask coach 100 times, ‘Say it again, say it again.’
Now, he’ll say it one time to me. Sometimes, don’t get me wrong, if it’s longer, I have to say, ‘Say it again.’ But, other than that, I’m getting better at that.”
Jackson has taken part in 84 offensive plays at several positions this season, completing 7 of 12 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, in addition to rushing for 139 yards and another score.
