Former WR: Lamar Jackson should sit out playoff game

Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Former Pro Bowl WR: Lamar Jackson should sit out playoff game vs. Bengals

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 1/10/23

Few, if any, would give the Baltimore Ravens a chance at beating the Cincinnati Bengals on the road Sunday night in their wild-card game if starting quarterback Lamar Jackson doesn't return from injury.

With Jackson's status still up in the air as of Tuesday afternoon — as well as his future with the organization — former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White made his opinion clear on what he thinks Jackson should do this weekend.

Ravens be giving out contracts like they have paid there best player. They know they can’t win without him obviously. If I’m lamar I don’t participate this weekend I just watch the ravens get beat and start my contract negotiations with them or a trade package.
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) January 10, 2023

White's tweet comes following reports that the Ravens were making Roquan Smith the highest paid inside linebacker in NFL history with a five-year, $100 million deal. With Smith's new contract in place, many are speculating that Baltimore will use the franchise tag on Jackson in the offseason to ensure that he stays with the team for at least one more year … but also not be committed to a riskier long-term deal with the speedster.

The 2019 MVP hasn't played since suffering a PCL sprain in Week 13. Following a torrid start to the 2022 regular season — 10 passing and two rushing touchdowns in the first three weeks — Jackson cooled off considerably before going down, recording seven passing touchdowns and five interceptions with just one rushing score from Weeks 4 through 13.

It was reported on Saturday that there was a "strong chance" that the Louisville product would return against Cincinnati, but he still hasn't returned to practice since his injury over one month ago. The Bengals and Ravens will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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