Even with Joe Flacco healthy, Lamar Jackson named Baltimore’s starter

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh announced Wednesday that Joe Flacco, who has been the Ravens starting QB since he was drafted by the franchise in 2008, is back to 100 percent healthy and will be fully available for the team’s game against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Then he announced that Baltimore will start Lamar Jackson in that game.

With Flacco sidelined, Jackson has been Baltimore’s starting QB for the last four weeks. He has produced a 3-1 record in those games, with the lone loss coming in overtime at the hands of the 11-2 Kansas City Chiefs.

Flacco has never been a backup in his 11-year career, a fact which he acknowledged on Wednesday.

“My overall thought about is obviously disappointed that I can’t be part of this team in the same capacity I have been for a long time,” Flacco said. “You always have to be ready and stay sharp and be ready to get the call at any point.”

The writing now certainly appears to be on the wall: If Lamar can impress during these final weeks of 2018, the Ravens are going to be his franchise to lead.