Baltimore Ravens fans were presumably fearing the worst when star quarterback Lamar Jackson left practice on Wednesday with an apparent foot injury.
However, the team downplayed the severity of the injury, making it seem like Jackson would bounce back quickly.
"A team spokesman said that Jackson just got his foot stepped on and he's fine," The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec reported.
The Ravens provided more clarity about Jackson's injury on Thursday with head coach John Harbaugh telling reporters his prayers had been answered and Jackson's X-rays came back negative and he had no broken bones.
"He got his foot stepped on like we said yesterday," Harbaugh told reporters, via NFL.com. "They did a quick X-ray and there's no damage or anything like that. I'm sure it's a little sore today, so we just kept him in. But he's fine. He's going to be good."
While Harbaugh's announcement is good news for Jackson and Ravens fans, ESPN's Adam Schefter seems to believe it's proof that Baltimore wasn't completely truthful on Wednesday about how severe Jackson's injury was at the time.
"It sounds like it was a little bit scarier than the Ravens led on because they did take X-rays, they did say there was no signs of broken bones or any issues, and John Harbaugh admitted that his prayers were answered. So, if it were anything that was 'nothing,' he wouldn't have to pray that Lamar Jackson's X-rays would have to turn out the way they did.
"He didn't practice today—second straight day—and look, they don't have to have Lamar Jackson out there right now. They need him out there for the start of the regular season. So, I'd imagine they'll give that foot a couple weeks to heal. It certainly sounds like the tests came back as well as they could've hoped."
It's already been announced that Jackson, a two-time MVP, won't play in Baltimore's preseason finale against the Washington Commanders on Saturday.
This gives Jackson 17 days to rest before the Ravens' season opener against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 7 in a rematch from last season's divisional round playoff matchup — a game the Bills won 27-25.
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