Tim Hasselbeck: Lamar Jackson's durability is a 'massive concern'
Lamar Jackson is one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the league, winning MVP in his second year in the NFL and leading the Baltimore Ravens to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. But former quarterback Tim Hasselbeck says there is 'massive concern' regarding Jackson's longevity due to his physical style of play.
"The question coming into last season was can you do this for an entire season?" Hasselbeck said on Get Up. "Well, they proved that you can do it for an entire season. But can you do it for five years? Can you do it for three years? That ends up being the issue."
Hasselbeck compared the amount of hits that Jackson has taken versus quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Deshaun Watson. Newton, who has missed significant time due to injuries, has never been hit more than 184 times, while Jackson was contacted 205 times last season. He also noted Watson reportedly not flying with the team due to injury.
"Look at the toll it's taken on [Cam Netwon's] body," Hasselbeck said. "And he's a bigger, stronger man than Lamar Jackson."
Questions about Jackson's durability are not new, as mobile quarterbacks often have their careers derailed by injury. Last season, Jackson set an NFL record by rushing for 1,206 yards last season while missing no time due to injuries.
Ultimately, Hasselbeck says that despite Jackson's unquestionable talents as a quarterback and a running threat, his runner's mentality should be considered "a massive concern in terms of the sustainability of what they are doing."
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