Ravens quarterback, Joe Flacco, who has not played in a football game since November 4, is inching closer and closer to a return. Today was the first time that Flacco was a full participant in practice since he suffered his hip injury. Flacco returned to practice on November 29, but only in a limited capacity. While Flacco has been cleared to practice, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh confirmed that the medical staff has yet to clear him to play in a game. This leaves his status unsettled for Sunday, as the Ravens are set to travel to Kansas City. With the situation still cloudy around the Super Bowl MVP quarterback, the Ravens will likely turn to Lamar Jackson once again.
According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, although Flacco returned to practice as a full participant, he still had a slight hitch when he moved around. If this is accurate, then it is obvious that Flacco’s hip is still bothering him. Flacco could be cleared for Sunday, but the Ravens may not want to risk putting him at risk on the field. When asked whether or not Flacco could serve as the backup to Lamar Jackson on Sunday, John Harbaugh said that “there’s a scenario for that.”
As long as Flacco remains sidelined with his injury, the debate at quarterback is irrelevant. Lamar Jackson will continue to command the offense as long as Flacco is unable to. However, the waters get murky once Flacco is cleared to play again. Who do the Ravens keep as the starting quarterback? The veteran or the rookie? The reliable or electrifying one? The Ravens will have to weigh all factors before making the decision that could determine whether or not the team is a Super Bowl contender. No matter what happens, the discussion and debate will never end.
