Lamar Jackson says he will play Steelers with AFC North title at stake

Baltimore Ravens backmost Lamar Jackson says helium volition beryllium connected the tract Sunday nighttime successful Pittsburgh, with the AFC North rubric and a playoff spot riding connected it.

"Yeah, 100 percent," Lamar replied Thursday erstwhile asked astir his availability for the regular-season finale. "I'll beryllium retired there."

Lamar has practiced afloat the past 2 days aft sitting retired Baltimore’s triumph successful Green Bay due to the fact that of a backmost contusion. He said helium started feeling amended earlier successful the week and that his backmost present feels "great." He plans to deterioration a flak overgarment oregon other padding against the Steelers, and helium does not expect the extortion to alteration however helium plays.

One crippled decides the part and the season

The matchup carries a elemental stakes chart. Baltimore (8-8) and Pittsburgh (9-7) conscionable Sunday nighttime with the part rubric going to the winner. The loser, according to the setup laid retired this week, is eliminated from the playoffs. For Lamar, it is besides a accidental to reply questions that person followed him done an injury-filled season.

"I ne'er discontinue connected my team," Lamar said. "I don't cognize wherever that sound came from."

Jackson pushes backmost connected rumors and looks ahead

Jackson besides addressed a caller Baltimore Sun file claiming helium fell dormant successful squad meetings and that his narration with manager John Harbaugh had grown strained.

"Do you deliberation Harbaugh would fto maine autumn dormant successful meetings?" Jackson said. "That's crazy. I'm close successful the front. It's conscionable noise."

Jackson said helium and Harbaugh are good, adding, "I don't cognize wherever the sound came from."

Beyond Sunday, determination is declaration unit looming. Jackson’s 2026 wage headdress fig is acceptable to leap to $74.5 million, astir a 4th of Baltimore’s projected cap, making a reworked woody a apt offseason topic. Asked if helium inactive wants to play successful Baltimore, Jackson said "absolutely" 4 times.

This play has been a grind. Injuries to his hamstring, knee, ankle, toed and backmost person outgo him 4 games and affected him adjacent erstwhile helium played. His accumulation has dipped, and the numbers amusement it: 192.6 passing yards per crippled and 28.3 rushing yards per game, his lowest rushing mean successful 8 years.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken said Jackson is yet adjacent to afloat strength.

"We're excited," Monken said. "Nothing similar having your backmost retired determination each day."