John Harbaugh rejects claim that Lamar Jackson has slept in Ravens meetings, says relationship with QB is A+
- - John Harbaugh rejects claim that Lamar Jackson has slept in Ravens meetings, says relationship with QB is A+
Andy BackstromDecember 24, 2025 at 6:03 PM
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A Baltimore Sun column describing a rift between longtime Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson has circulated furiously online.
Among other things, Mike Preston writes in his column for the Sun that Jackson has been falling asleep in team meetings.
Harbaugh was asked about that and the piece Wednesday.
"I don't know where that's coming from," Harbaugh said ahead of Saturday's road game versus the Green Bay Packers.
"I've never seen that. Ever. That's not something that I've ever witnessed, and I'm in every meeting. And to speculate on how I feel about it... I'll tell you how I feel. I'm pretty transparent. I think all the guys in the building will tell you, if I have something of conversation, something that I want to talk to them about, I'm right up front."
In the column, Preston writes that Harbaugh has "become tired" of the two-time NFL MVP.
Harbaugh emphasized Wednesday, though, that he had a great conversation with Jackson just that morning. He said they talked about football, how Jackson's feeling and other topics, as the dual-threat star tries to work his way back from a back contusion, the latest of several injuries he's sustained this season while playing for the 7-8 Ravens, who need the Pittsburgh Steelers to lose to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday to have any chance at winning the AFC North crown the following week.
"Our relationship is A+," Harbaugh said of his connection with Jackson. "So I love him. Always have, always will. And I know he's fighting like crazy to get back. So none of those reports or things that get said or written or whatever — I don't need anybody speaking for me.
"Just ask me, and I'll tell you what I think."
During Harbaugh and Jackson's eight seasons together, the Ravens have made the playoffs six times, won four division titles and earned a pair of No. 1 seeds in the AFC.
They haven't reached the Super Bowl in that span, however, and Jackson's postseason record is just 3-5. In those games, he's thrown only three more touchdowns (10) than interceptions (7).
Baltimore needs a pair of wins and some help to even get another swing at the playoffs this season. Jackson hasn't looked his best on the field most of the season, as he's battled a laundry list of injuries.
First he missed three games this season with a hamstring injury. Jackson, whose 2022 and 2021 seasons were cut short by knee and ankle issues, respectively, was one of several Ravens players banged up early in the 2025 campaign, as Baltimore slumped to a 1-4 start.
Since he returned in Week 9, he's been sidelined and limited in practices with knee, toe, ankle and back injuries.
He's yet to miss another game, although his status is up in the air for Saturday's contest in Green Bay. Jackson didn't practice Tuesday or Wednesday. Harbaugh said Wednesday Jackson is "day-to-day."
"But he could play without that practice for sure," Harbaugh said. "He's played a lot of football, won a lot of games for us. If he's ready to go, he will go. If he can go, he will go. You can bet on that."
When asked for specifics about the back contusion that Jackson suffered during the first half of last week's loss to the New England Patriots, Harbaugh said it's a deep-tissue contusion and not just some black and blue mark.
"I'm not a medical guy, but I did see the MRI," he said. "It's legitimate, very painful. Muscles lock up around it. You can't really move very well. He's in that process now of loosening all that up, hopefully. And you can't really say when it's going to be right.
"He's got to be able to be an athlete, be able to move. ... So that's what you're working back towards with all the treatment and everything. So believe me, if he can go out there and do it, this guy's one of the ultimate competitors that you're ever going to see. If he's able to go, he's going to be out there going."
Source: “AOL Sports”
