Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson leaves game with knee injury

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had to leave Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos with a knee injury. He is officially listed by the team as questionable to return. 

Jackson was sacked on two plays in the first half, exiting the game after the second sack. He was helped to the locker room and needed assistance walking up the steps. 

He was replaced by backup Tyler Huntley. 

This is the play that forced him to exit.

It is a huge story for two big reasons.

The primary reason being that the Ravens are in a tight playoff race in the AFC North (and the AFC overall) and are not only still in the running for a playoff spot, but also a potential home game if they can hold off Cincinnati in the division. Jackson being injured would severely damage those chances. Jackson missed time last season and it cost the Ravens during a second half collapse that saw them miss the playoffs.

It is also a big deal for Jackson personally because he is a pending free after this season and playing for a huge contract.

He already turned down a massive offer from the Ravens before the season and bet on himself. He has played fine this season and would be the most highly sought after free agent on the open market, so avoiding a major injury would be a primary goal for him. 

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