NFL legend Michael Vick thinks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson should play through injury against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night.
Jackson is dealing with a Grade 2-3 sprain of a PCL in his left knee. Still, Vick thinks Jackson should suck it up and perform in the playoffs.
“It’s the playoffs,” Vick said during Fox’s pregame coverage ahead of Saturday’s Seattle Seahawks–San Francisco 49ers game, according to Audacy.com. “You’re three games away [from the Super Bowl]. Put a brace on it. Get it going. Put a brace on it; let’s go.”
Vick let Jackson know that he had played through similar pain—and for longer.
“I played a whole season on a sprained MCL,” Vick said.
The entire exchange, including a concurrence from former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Peyton, can be seen below:
The crew share their thoughts on Lamar Jackson's injury @SeanPayton | @CharlesWoodson | @MichaelVick pic.twitter.com/OBtLcDiM1d
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 14, 2023
Jackson, for his part, took to social media earlier this week to clarify his thinking heading into Sunday’s big game:
Thank you everyone for your support and concerns regarding my injuries. I want to give you all an update as I am in the recovery process. I’ve suffered a PCL grade 2 sprain on the borderline of a strain 3. There is still inflammation surrounding my knee and my knee
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) January 12, 2023
“Thank you, everyone, for your support and concerns regarding my injuries,” Jackson wrote in part.
The Bengals host the Ravens at 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC. Oddsmakers currently list Joe Burrow and the Bengals as eight-point favorites entering the contest.
Ravens backup QB Tyler Huntley will start if Jackson is unable to play.
