The whispers started after the Baltimore Ravens’ Thursday night blowout. Quarterback Lamar Jackson threw four touchdowns but barely ran the ball. Analysts immediately questioned whether something was wrong.
Oct 30, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) walks off the field after a win over Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Oct 30, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) walks off the field after a win over Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Jackson clearly got tired of the narrative on Wednesday. The newly named AFC Offensive Player of the Week made his stance clear when reporters kept pushing about his hamstring.
“The speculations and what I’m saying [are] totally different,” he said bluntly as perESPN. “So like I said, I feel good, and I was ready to play. I felt like I did what I needed to do to win.”
The numbers paint a strange picture for the league’s most accomplished rushing quarterback. He finished with 14 yards on five carries against Miami, and two of those came on kneel-downs.
That means he had just three actual rushing attempts all afternoon. For a playerknown for turning broken plays into highlights with his legs, that output felt out of character and raised eyebrows across the league.
Mark Andrews sees no reason for concern about his quarterback’s willingness to use his legs. “It’s tough to blitz a guy like that because of how good he is with, obviously, his arm, but his feet, too,” the tight end explained. Andrews expects Jackson will scramble when Minnesota brings pressure Sunday.
The debate comes down to choice or limitation. Is Jackson protecting himself by running less? Or is that hamstring issue from earlier still holding him back? Baltimore insists he is fully healthy. There was no injury tag before the Miami game and nothing on Wednesday’s report.
Evolution or Caution?
Jackson averages only 36 rushing yards per game this season, which is his career low. That is surprising for a player with 6,353 career rushing yards, almost 2,000 more than any active quarterback. The drop from his past production to his current numbers keeps fans and analysts talking.
Maybe Jackson is simply maturing as a passer. His 238 yards and four touchdowns against Miami proved he can dominate without scrambling. At 28 years old, relying less on his legs might extend his career and reduce his risk of injury.
Minnesota’s aggressive defense will provide answers Sunday. The Vikings blitz relentlessly, creating situations where quarterbacks must either escape or take hits. Jackson’s response will reveal more than any press conference quote.
“If I have to,” Jackson said when asked about running. Those three words explain his mindset. He will take off only when the game demands it. He is not chasing highlights. He is chasing wins. The electric scrambles everyone expects are now a tool, not a habit.
The seventh time in eight seasons Jackson finished below 15 rushing yards sounds alarming. Context matters though. He’s winning games decisively while staying healthier. Maybe that’s the actual story rather than some hidden injury concern.
Sunday’s matchup offers the perfect test case. If Jackson stays pocket-bound against Minnesota’s pressure, questions intensify. One explosive scramble silences all doubts.