Ravens Reveal Lamar Jackson & Starters Preseason Decision vs. Eagles

Baltimore Ravens fans waiting to see Lamar Jackson and his purple cohorts will have to be a little more patient.

Patience is a virtue and Baltimore Ravens supporters will have to be just a tad more righteous when it comes to seeing their beloved starters.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has unveiled the plan when it comes to the starting lineup come Saturday's 2023 preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles (7 p.m. ET, WBAL/NFL Network). 

'"If a guy is a real young starter, maybe he'll get a few reps," Harbaugh declared on the team's official site. "But none of the established starters (will play)."

Thus extends the wait for Ravens fans to see the return of franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson, who hasn't taken to M&T Bank Stadium's turf since early December. This also hints that they'll also have to wait to see Odell Beckham make his unofficial Baltimore debut after signing with the team in April. 

Harbaugh was asked the question in light of the situation surrounding Zay Flowers. There are obviously big plans for the Boston College alum and 22nd overall pick of last year's draft, especially as the Ravens try to solidify their receiving picture with Jackson signed on for the long haul. Harbaugh kept the door open for Flowers to take the field but continued to keep his cards close to his chest.

"We would like to see him out there in terms of just having a sense of the game before the first regular-season game. We'll have to see how healthy he is and where we're at."

As the debate around preseason football's purpose and benefits continues to intensify, the issue of starters' playing time continues to be a consistent talking point throughout the NFL. A growing movement, said to be led by Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, has advocated for primary talents to be held out of the preseason trio entirely. 

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was non-commital when answering a similar question about his own starters' playing time on Saturday. 

“We’re still figuring out,” Sirianni said, per Josh Tolentino of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I don’t have to make a decision quite yet on it. We’ll see. We talk through everything and we’re still talking through it.”

---

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

Follow the Baltimore Ravens Daily Blitz Podcast

Follow Raven Country on Twitter and Facebook

Ravens Alert! Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Baltimore Ravens?