BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson will not play in the Ravens’ preseason finale Saturday, coach John Harbaugh announced Thursday, marking the first time in the quarterback’s five-year career that he will be held out of an entire preseason.
The decision to again sideline Jackson and likely other starters against the Washington Commanders reflects a broader reversal in team strategy after one of the most injury-marred seasons in recent NFL history.
In last year’s preseason finale, long considered a dress rehearsal for the regular season, the Ravens played most of their starters for at least a series, with some getting more than a third of the team’s snaps. Through the Ravens’ two preseason games this month, however, just two projected offensive starters — running back Mike Davis and left guard Ben Powers — and three projected defensive starters — defensive linemen Justin Madubuike and Michael Pierce and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh — have played, and then only sparingly.
