Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Ravens to sit Lamar, other starters vs. Steelers

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Monday, 23 December 2019 11:57

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Pro Bowl quarterback Lamar Jackson is among the handful of Baltimore Ravens starters, including injured running back Mark Ingram, who will not play in Sunday's season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, coach John Harbaugh announced Monday.

Ingram, who left Sunday's game in Cleveland early in the fourth quarter, has a mild to moderate calf strain. Harbaugh called it "good news" for Ingram, saying he expects the Pro Bowl running back to be ready when Baltimore plays host to the AFC divisional round playoff game in almost three weeks (Jan. 11 or 12).

The Ravens (13-2) clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed for the first time in team history and secured home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with Sunday's 31-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns, meaning they have nothing to gain in the regular-season finale against the rival Steelers (8-7).

"It was pretty straight forward," Harbaugh said. "It's not a hard decision really, if you sit back and think about it. It's a solid decision."

Robert Griffin III will start at quarterback for Baltimore against Pittsburgh, which can clinch a playoff spot with a win on Sunday but also needs the Tennessee Titans to lose to the Houston Texans. The Steelers also can make it with a loss but would need help from several teams in those scenarios.

In addition to Jackson and Ingram, guard Marshal Yanda, safety Earl Thomas and defensive tackle Brandon Williams won't play against Pittsburgh. Two other starters could also be inactive, and the top candidates are cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Marcus Peters, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley or tight end Mark Andrews.

In making the decision, Harbaugh said he consulted with Yanda on the flight back from Cleveland and spoke with his coaching staff. The Ravens have won 11 straight games, and some might argue that sitting some players two weeks (the season finale in addition to the first-round bye) will derail their momentum.

It basically comes down to whether you want to risk rust or injury.

"There's a strong case to be made either way. I really recognize the other side of it," Harbaugh said. "I think like it's a fair and valid case and it's real. You just got to balance it out between two good choices really."

This officially ends the regular season for Jackson, the NFL Most Valuable Player front-runner who became the first player in league history to throw for over 3,000 yards and run for 1,000 yards. He currently leads the NFL with 36 touchdown passes and ranks No. 6 in rushing with 1,206 yards.

Sitting a starting quarterback in the final regular-season game is unusual. In the past five seasons, four teams have clinched the No. 1 seed before Week 17 and only one (the New Orleans Saints with Drew Brees) didn't play their starting quarterback. The others used their starting quarterback for less than a half.

After the win in Cleveland, Jackson expressed a desire to play, although he said it was Harbaugh's decision. Harbaugh hasn't spoken to Jackson about not playing but said, "I know he'll be completely on board."

The Ravens were reminded about the injury risk Sunday, when Ingram limped off the field at the start of the fourth quarter. He left the stadium with a protective boot, and he underwent an MRI on Monday.

Ingram's 15 touchdown this season are tied with Ray Rice (2011) for most in a season by a Ravens running back.

"We'd be looking for him to be ready in two weeks," Harbaugh said. "We'll see how that goes going forward."

Even though the Ravens could be sitting as many as six Pro Bowl players, Harbaugh said the priority is to win Sunday's game. Since it was announced that Jackson wouldn't be starting, Baltimore went from being a 1-point favorite to a 1-point underdog, according to Caesars.

"It's a rivalry game. It's the Steelers," Harbaugh said. "They have everything to play for. We recognize that, and we'll be looking to put our absolute best foot forward and play our best football game with the guys that we'll be playing with."

Read 381 times

Soccer

Amorim: My Man United team will play without fear

Amorim: My Man United team will play without fear

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRúben Amorim has told Manchester United fans that his team will pla...

Andrés Iniesta buys Danish team after retirement

Andrés Iniesta buys Danish team after retirement

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andrés Iniesta has become the...

Amorim: Not weighed down by Man Utd's history

Amorim: Not weighed down by Man Utd's history

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRúben Amorim has said he doesn't feel "the weight" of Manchester Un...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Jokic (personal) out for Denver's NBA Cup opener

Jokic (personal) out for Denver's NBA Cup opener

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThree-time league MVP Nikola Jokic will miss the Denver Nuggets' NB...

'It was for the better': How Ja Morant and the Grizzlies turned last season's woes into success

'It was for the better': How Ja Morant and the Grizzlies turned last season's woes into success

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJA MORANT DROVE the length of the court, kissed a hanging floater o...

Baseball

FanDuel, MLBPA settle player likenesses lawsuit

FanDuel, MLBPA settle player likenesses lawsuit

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMajor League Baseball's players union settled a lawsuit that accuse...

Sims to replace Sterling as Yankees radio voice

Sims to replace Sterling as Yankees radio voice

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Dave Sims is replacing John Sterling as Suzyn Waldman's...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated