Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson confirmed he will play in Sunday's winner-take-all AFC North matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, despite missing Week 17 with a back injury. The game at Acrisure Stadium decides the division title and playoff berth, with both teams relatively healthy entering the contest. Jackson practiced fully this week and dismissed doubts about his toughness.
The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers face off Sunday night in a high-stakes AFC North showdown that will determine the division champion and secure a playoff spot for the winner. The Ravens clinched their spot in the game after a 41-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 17, while the Steelers fell 13-6 to the Cleveland Browns, keeping the race alive.
Lamar Jackson, who sat out the Packers win due to a back contusion suffered in Week 16 against the New England Patriots, returned to full practice Wednesday and Thursday. 'A hundred percent,' Jackson said when asked if he would play. 'I'm going to be out there.' This marks the fourth game Jackson has missed this season, three due to hamstring issues earlier. He addressed recent skepticism about his willingness to play through pain, stating, 'I never quit on my team before. I never quit anything to be honest with you.' Ravens coach John Harbaugh expressed optimism, noting Jackson's full participation and their strong relationship.
Injury concerns for Baltimore are minimal: wide receiver Rashod Bateman missed practice with an illness, and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (quad) did not practice and remains out. Linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) was limited, while wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins rested. Most other players, including offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees and tight end Charlie Kolar, were full participants.
For Pittsburgh, outside linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) was limited but signs point to him playing, bolstering a defense that has relied on depth like linebacker Malik Harrison. Tight end Darnell Washington is out with a broken arm. The Steelers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers also practiced fully.
Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey joked about the dramatic setup: 'I joke around that the NFL script writers, they did good with this one. With this rivalry, just the craziness that just happened of how it all went down.' This marks the first winner-take-all regular-season finale in the storied rivalry, heightening the intensity at Acrisure Stadium.
