NFL training camps kicked off in many places around the league this week. They usually bring with them all kinds of stories, from breakouts to players falling behind to new starters and also, unfortunately, injuries.
There's also the uncommon stories, like the one out of Ravens camp. The team announced Sunday that quarterback Lamar Jackson would not practice and that he was sent home from the facility due to an illness. The illness was described by longtime NFL insider Josina Anderson as "pretty bad."
Jackson missed three practices before making his return on Wednesday, though left the field midway through the session. The illness was not made public. However, Jackson missed practice once again on Friday with the same mystery illness.
Baltimore posted the following statement on the 2023 NFL MVP's health situation:
QB Lamar Jackson remains sidelined with an illness and will not practice today. He continues to undergo further evaluation and receive care from our medical team.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 26, 2024
"QB Lamar Jackson remains sidelined with an illness and will not practice today. He continues to undergo further evaluation and receive care from our medical team."
Given how early we are in camp, it shouldn't be expected that the illness will affect Jackson in any way for the 2024 season. Even missing a few days of camp, he has long been entrenched as the Ravens' starter under center and has a preexisting rapport with all of his top receiving targets. It may take some time for him and Derrick Henry to get used to playing with each other in the backfield, but there will be plenty of opportunity for them to do so as camp progresses.
Of course, Jackson is coming off his second career MVP season, having thrown for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns against seven interceptions while completing 67.2% of his passes at an average of 8.0 yards per attempt and adding 821 yards and five scores with his 148 carries. The Ravens are expected to remain one of the AFC's leading contenders this season, with Jackson and Co. preparing once again to try to take out the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
