Deion Sanders Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Deion Sanders backs Lamar Jackson regarding missed games

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/29/23

Deion Sanders went on Twitter Wednesday morning to back Lamar Jackson from the criticism he's received over missing the Baltimore Ravens' stretch run and playoff loss last season.

The former MVP quarterback sent out a host of tweets Tuesday night, defending himself over the perception that he sat out the contests in order to avoid injury and cash in on a big-money contract this offseason.

Stop explaining Yourself to fools and allow fools to be fools. A brother trying that's strong, believes in himself and willing to stand for what he believes will always be misunderstood & judged by fools of all ethnicities. Love ya my brother and "I Believe in You" ! #CoachPrime https://t.co/nk5kNAKqnA
— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) March 29, 2023

Jackson missed Baltimore's final four-plus games of the regular season and their AFC wild-card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals due to a sprained PCL, after it was reported that he'd only miss one-to-three weeks following the Week 13 injury.

At the beginning of March, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh defended the Louisville product, saying that the speedster would've played against the Bengals if he could've.

After yet again failing to come to agreement on a contract extension this winter, Baltimore placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on Jackson (who represents himself and can sign an offer sheet with another team) earlier this month. If there is no offer sheet, the two-time Pro Bowler would earn $32.4 million in the 2023 season if he plays under the tag.

If the 26-year-old Jackson does sign an offer sheet and the Ravens don't match it, the team would receive two first-round picks.

Jackson tweeted earlier this week that he'd requested a trade from Baltimore on March 2. Whether on purpose or not, No. 8's message on social media was ill-timed, as it was just as Harbaugh was meeting with reporters at the NFL's annual league meeting.

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