Ravens' Lamar Jackson Dealing With Illness

Lamar Jackson will miss the first day of Baltimore Ravens training camp.

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball to score a touchdown against Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) during the fourth quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was sent home with an illness and will not participate in the first practice of training camp on Sunday, the team announced.

QB Lamar Jackson is not practicing today and has been sent home with an illness.

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 21, 2024

Jackson, the reigning league MVP, reported to the Under Armor Performance Center on Monday, well before veterans were due to report on Saturday. He has gotten some work in over the past few days, but will sadly miss the first official day of practice.

With Jackson out, veteran backup Josh Johnson is taking first-team reps on Sunday, followed by rookies Devin Leary and Emory Jones.

It goes without saying that Jackson's health is paramount to Baltimore's success this season. The 27-year-old is coming off his best passing season to date, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 3,678 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His rushing stats slightly declined, but he still had 821 yards (the most among all quarterbacks) and five touchdowns to help Baltimore finish 13-4 and claim the AFC's top seed.

Jackson will be in the MVP conversation once again provided he stays healthy, but Ravens fans know about his injury concerns all too well.

If Jackson is unavailable for any reason, then the Ravens will be in serious trouble. Johnson is a 38-year-old journeyman, and Leary and Jones are obviously unproven as rookies. Like most teams with Super Bowl aspirations, the Ravens need their star quarterback to stand a chance.

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