Scott Van Pelt: Lamar Jackson injury/contract situation 'all really interesting'

Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback Lamar Jackson did not practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday night's Wild Card playoff game against the Bengals in Cincinnati, casting doubt on his availability for the playoff showdown between AFC North rivals.

Jackson has not practiced since injuring his left knee in Week 13. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Wednesday that "you try your best not to let it affect you emotionally" when people speculate about whether Jackson's injury has anything to do with his contract negotiations with the team.

"At this point in time, (we're) just kind of ignoring all of that and focusing on … all of us preparing, myself included … to be as ready as we can to play a very tough opponent in the Wild Card round," Harbaugh said. "All that other stuff just becomes kind of noise, and you just try to just put it out of your mind."

ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt addressed the Ravens' predicament.

"I get that it's noise, and I respect that. But this whole thing has been odd, right?" Van Pelt said during "SportsCenter." "After Jackson got hurt against Denver, there was never a sense that it could end his season, was there? Just vague curiosity and then it lingered and then it became a more gnawing concern, and now here we are. If Jackson doesn't play against the Bengals - which seems unlikely - and the Ravens were to lose, then it's time to negotiate. But where are the two sides in relation to one another? Tim Hasselbeck made an interesting point here in one of his visits, and I agree: Because Jackson does not have an agent, there is nobody to share info with newsbreakers - we know who they are - about that side of the story. And it's all really interesting. Second year in a row that he missed the end of a Ravens' season due to injury and at least they somehow made the playoffs this year without him, it's just really difficult/impossible to envision a run in his absence."

The Baltimore Ravens' injury report Wednesday also included backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, who was a limited participant with a shoulder/wrist injury. Huntley did not play in the Ravens' Week 18 loss at Paycor Stadium.

Running back Gus Edwards remains in concussion protocol and did not practice. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey was limited with a shoulder injury, and cornerback Marcus Peters was limited because of a calf injury.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Scott Van Pelt: Lamar Jackson injury/contract situation interesting