Lamar Jackson has missed 18 games in his NFL career due to injury and illness.
Figuring out how many games has Lamar Jackson missed in his career can be tricky, given the nature of football. He is an exciting player to watch, known for his exceptional abilities, but injuries do happen. Fans are always curious about a player’s availability to compete.
The question of how many games has Lamar Jackson missed in his career, becomes relevant to his overall impact and team performance. It’s a key factor for understanding his time on the field. We will delve into a breakdown of his absences.
How Many Games Has Lamar Jackson Missed in His Career?
Lamar Jackson, the incredibly talented quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, is known for his amazing ability to run and throw the football. He’s a game-changer, a true superstar. But even superstars can’t avoid injuries and the occasional need to sit out a game. So, how many games has Lamar Jackson actually missed during his NFL career? It’s a question many fans ask, and the answer involves looking back at his seasons with the Ravens and the reasons behind those absences.
The Start of Lamar’s NFL Journey: 2018-2019
Lamar Jackson entered the NFL in 2018 as a first-round draft pick. During the 2018 season, he didn’t miss any games due to injury or illness. However, he didn’t start all the games. He began as a backup quarterback, getting his first start in Week 11 and took over the starting job for the rest of the season. This is important to remember, we are focusing on games missed due to not being available, not games he didn’t start. The 2019 season was a different story. Lamar played a full 16-game season. He was an absolute sensation, earning the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award that year. His durability was impressive during that season. So far, zero games missed due to being unavailable.
2020: A Brief Absence
The 2020 season saw a small hiccup in Lamar’s availability. In Week 12, he had to miss a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after testing positive for COVID-19. This was a unique circumstance affecting many players that year. He was on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list, and because of that he missed one game. It wasn’t due to a physical injury, but it’s still a game he was unavailable to play. That makes our running total one game missed due to being unavailable.
The 2021 Season: A Season of Inconsistencies
The 2021 season proved to be a challenging one for Lamar, and it marked the first time he missed significant game action because of an injury. He initially missed one game because of an illness. Then, in Week 11, he sustained an ankle injury against the Cleveland Browns. This injury kept him out of the lineup for the remainder of the season.
Detailed Breakdown of 2021 Absences
- Illness: One game missed (Week 3 against Detroit Lions).
- Ankle Injury: Missed the final four games of the regular season (Weeks 14-17).
This brings us to a total of five games missed so far in his career, all because of being unavailable to play. The ankle injury was a big setback, and it forced the Ravens to try and win games without their star quarterback.
2022: Another Injury Challenge
The 2022 season brought yet another challenge for Lamar Jackson. He suffered a PCL sprain in his knee in Week 13. He tried to come back and practice, but wasn’t able to return in time. Unfortunately, this kept him out of action for the last five games of the regular season. This was a frustrating stretch for Lamar and the Ravens, as they struggled to maintain their winning ways. He also missed the playoff game, meaning he missed six games total in 2022 because he was not available to play. This now makes our total eleven games missed due to injury or illness in his career.
Specifics of the 2022 Games Missed
- Knee Injury (PCL sprain): Missed the last five regular-season games (Weeks 14-18)
- Playoff Game: Missed the AFC Wild Card game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
2023 Season: A Relatively Healthy Year
The 2023 season was a breath of fresh air for Lamar in terms of availability. He played all of the regular season games, showcasing his talent week after week. He did sit out week 18, but that was due to a coach’s decision. He was available to play that game. Because he played all games that he was available for, this brings us no new games missed for the year.
The Impact of Missed Games
Missing games for a player as impactful as Lamar Jackson can significantly affect a team’s performance. When he’s not on the field, the Ravens offense runs differently. It’s important to see how Lamar’s absences have impacted the team’s record, and it’s a reminder of just how important he is to their success. His unique skills and abilities make him difficult to replace. When Lamar is out, the other team does not need to prepare for his running ability, and it can be a challenge for the Ravens to overcome that.
Tracking Lamar Jackson’s Missed Games: A Detailed Table
To make it easier to see how many games Lamar Jackson has missed, let’s break it down using a table:
| Year | Reason for Missing Games | Number of Games Missed | Total Games Missed (Running) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | None (Played all available games) | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | None (Played all available games) | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | COVID-19 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | Illness, Ankle Injury | 5 | 6 |
| 2022 | Knee Injury (PCL Sprain), Playoff Game | 6 | 12 |
| 2023 | None (Played all available games) | 0 | 12 |
Why Injuries are Inevitable in the NFL
It’s important to remember that injuries are unfortunately a part of professional football. The game is fast, physical, and involves a lot of contact. It’s not uncommon for players to miss games due to various reasons. While every team works hard to keep players healthy, some level of injury is almost impossible to avoid completely. Players like Lamar Jackson, with their unique playing style involving a lot of running, might face additional risks. Teams focus on training, conditioning, and recovery to minimize the chances of players getting hurt. The challenge for players and teams is to balance playing at a high level with staying as safe as possible.
The Future of Lamar Jackson’s Availability
As Lamar Jackson continues his career, staying healthy is a top priority. He is still a young player with many years ahead of him, so he will try his best to be healthy. The Baltimore Ravens will always be hoping he will be ready to play every week. The team will continue to work to ensure his health and that he is ready for each and every game. They will put in place plans that help to keep his health in the best possible state. As fans, we’ll be watching his health closely each season to see how many games he plays. When he is healthy, he is very exciting to watch, and all fans enjoy seeing him play.
In conclusion, throughout his time in the NFL, Lamar Jackson has missed a total of 12 games due to illness and injuries. While that number isn’t terribly high, his absences have highlighted his crucial importance to the Baltimore Ravens and how difficult it can be for them when he is unavailable to play.
🔴BREAKING NEWS! BALTIMORE RAVENS NEWS TODAY 2025 NFL Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews
Final Thoughts
Lamar Jackson’s availability has been a key topic. His dual-threat ability makes him a valuable asset. Injuries, however, have sidelined him at times.
So far, Jackson has missed 13 games in his NFL career. This is important to consider when discussing his impact. Knowing exactly ‘how many games has lamar jackson missed in his career’ is crucial for evaluating his career.
