Ravens QB Lamar Jackson addresses elephant in the room after quiet game

The Baltimore Ravens got off to a very slow start in their game against the New York Jets on Sunday, and questions were raised about whether Lamar Jackson is fully healthy. The star quarterback addressed some of that speculation after Baltimore's win.

Jackson completed just 13-of-23 passes for 153 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in the Ravens' 23-10 win over the Jets. Baltimore's offense was practically non-existent in the first half, and the Jets led 7-3 going into the break. The Ravens scored touchdowns on their first two drives of the second half and then got Derrick Henry going to slowly pull away.

Jackson was not effective running the ball, either. The two-time NFL MVP finished with just 11 rushing yards on seven attempts.

Lamar Jackson says injuries were not a factor

Jackson sat out for a month with a hamstring injury before returning in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins. He has now led the Ravens to four consecutive wins since he came back, which has placed the team in a tie for first place in the AFC North. Jackson has not played up to his usual standards during that stretch, however.

Jackson threw four touchdown passes in Baltimore's 28-6 win over the Dolphins, but he has just one in the three games since. He was also held to 14 or fewer rushing yards in three of the four games since he returned from his hamstring injury. Jackson has missed some practice time with various ailments over the past few weeks, but he insisted on Sunday that the documented knee and ankle issues are not holding him back.

"No. No, I don’t think that at all. I feel like we just need to execute a lot better," Jackson told reporters on Sunday, via ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "We get in great field position, but we’re not putting points on the board. That has nothing to do with an injury. I’m out there, so I feel like I should still be able to do what I do.”

The quarterback added that he feels like he "should still be able to do what I do" as long as he suits up and plays.

The Ravens are back in the playoff hunt

Jackson has likely missed time in practice because the Ravens want to limit his reps. Following a 1-5 start to the season, Baltimore is 6-5 and back on top in the AFC North. The team struggled without Jackson and are trying to keep him healthy.

That may also have something to do with why Jackson has had less designed run plays called for him. Even if he is not actively nursing an injury, that does not mean the Ravens want to risk him suffering a new one. It would not be a surprise if we see more running from Jackson as the season rolls on and the stakes get even higher.