Lamar Jackson? Out. Trace McSorely? Out. So, who’s lining up for the Ravens on 4th & 5 with two minutes left to play? Wide receiver Willie Snead.
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Yes, that’s that right. In a MNF game against their division rivals, the Cleveland Browns with the season on the line Ravens head coach Harbaugh was all out of options. Jackson was “cramping” during the game, and McSorely just suffered a knee injury that would sideline him for the rest of the season.
The Ravens were so desperate that kicker Justin Tucker was ready to let loose for a 68-yard bomb than let Snead throw the ball.
Harbaugh knew things were over. That is until a hero came running out of the tunnel, saving the Ravens and their playoff hopes. He trotted out like he was water in the middle of a scorched desert. The former MVP and Ravens QB1 was back.
Lamar Jackson picked perhaps the most convenient time to stage his dramatic return, and well, he didn’t disappoint.
Lamar Jackson makes his triumphant return and on the first play throws a go-ahead TD to Marquise Brown pic.twitter.com/ErAFkeBAI2
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) December 15, 2020
Harbaugh must have been going through nothing short of a heart attack before Jackson walked back in, and it’s safe to say this play would have calmed him down.
This story from John Harbaugh about the Cleveland game where Lamar Jackson cramped up is hilarious 😂😂 @HudlFootball #Blitz21 pic.twitter.com/3UrFzU3Qo5
— James Light (@JamesALight) April 10, 2021
Was Lamar Jackson Really Injured?
Jackson coming back at just the exact moment the Ravens needed him the most did raise more than a few eyebrows. Was Jackson actually injured or was he pulling a “Paul Pierce” moment. Here’s that one for reference:
@SportsCenter Let’s not forget “Best Fake Injury” – Paul Pierce in the 2008 Finals: http://t.co/juiG4037zi
— Ronald Jolly (@ProudExDemocrat) March 2, 2014
Here were some of the reactions to the apparent injury on Twitter:
I think Roger Goodell forced Lamar Jackson to fake an injury so Trace McSorley can play and the TV ratings can go up. #nfl pic.twitter.com/iZaSJxSeHe
— New York Sports Fan (@nysportsfan103) December 15, 2020
I think Roger Goodell forced Lamar Jackson to fake an injury so Trace McSorley can play and the TV ratings can go up. #nfl pic.twitter.com/iZaSJxSeHe
— New York Sports Fan (@nysportsfan103) December 15, 2020
And of course, Jackson’s reaction to it:
“I was real-life cramping!” @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/ND7E1Q9W4p
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 16, 2020
What really happened, we may never know, but we definitely know one thing. That moment was probably the best moment from the 2020-21 NFL season. In fact, that game was probably the game of the year.