Among other things, Mike Preston writes in his column for the Sun that Jackson falls asleep in team meetings.
Advertisement
Harbaugh was asked about that and the article on Wednesday.
“I don’t know where that comes from,” Harbaugh said before Saturday’s road game against the Green Bay Packers.
“I’ve never seen that. Ever. That’s something I’ve never witnessed, and I’m in every meeting. And to speculate on how I feel about it… I’ll tell them how I feel. I’m pretty transparent. I think all the guys in the building will tell you, if I have something to talk about, something I want to talk to them about, I’m honest.”
In the column, Preston writes that Harbaugh has “tired” of the two-time NFL MVP.
Advertisement
Harbaugh emphasized Wednesday, however, that he had a great conversation with Jackson that same morning. He said they talked about football, how Jackson is feeling and other topics as the dual-threat star tries to recover from a back contusion, the latest of several injuries he has suffered this season while playing for the 7-8 Ravens, who need the Pittsburgh Steelers to lose to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday to have any chance of winning the AFC North crown the following week.
“Our relationship is A+,” Harbaugh said of his connection with Jackson. “So I love him. I always have, I always will. And I know he’s fighting like crazy to get back. So none of those reports or things that are said or written or whatever, I don’t need anyone to speak for me.
“Ask me and I’ll tell you what I think.”
During Harbaugh and Jackson’s eight seasons together, the Ravens made the playoffs six times, won four division titles and earned a pair of No. 1 seeds in the AFC.
Advertisement
However, they haven’t reached the Super Bowl in that span and Jackson’s postseason record is just 3-5. In those games, he threw only three more touchdowns (10) than interceptions (7).
Baltimore needs a couple of wins and some help to even make another playoff push this season. Jackson has not been at his best on the field for most of the season as he has battled a long list of injuries.
First he missed three games this season with a hamstring injury. Jackson, whose 2022 and 2021 seasons were cut short by knee and ankle problems, respectively, was one of several Ravens players hit at the time, as Baltimore fell to a 1-4 start.
Since returning in Week 9, he has been sidelined and limited in practice with knee, toe, ankle and back injuries.
Advertisement
He has yet to miss another game, although his status is up in the air for Saturday’s game at Green Bay. Jackson did not practice Tuesday or Wednesday. Harbaugh said Jackson is “day to day.”
“But I sure could play without that practice,” Harbaugh said. “He’s played a lot of football, won a lot of games for us. If he’s ready to play, he’ll go. If he can go, he’ll go. You can bet on that.”
When asked for details about the back bruise Jackson suffered during the first half of last week’s loss to the New England Patriots, Harbaugh said it is a deep tissue bruise and not just a black and blue mark.
Advertisement
“I’m not a doctor, but I saw the MRI,” he said. “It’s legit, very painful. The muscles lock up around it. You can’t really move very well. Now it’s in that process of loosening all that up, hopefully. And you can’t really tell when it’s going to be right.
“He’s got to be able to be an athlete, be able to move… So that’s what you’re working towards with all the treatment and everything. So believe me, if he can go out there and do it, this guy is one of the best competitors you’ll ever see. If he can do it, he’ll be out there.”