Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was absent from training camp practice Friday for the fourth time this week.
The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player has been sidelined because of an undisclosed illness. In a statement Friday, the Ravens said that Jackson “continues to undergo further evaluation and receive care from our medical team.” Coach John Harbaugh is scheduled to speak to reporters after practice Friday afternoon.
Jackson returned to practice Wednesday in Owings Mills but walked off the field, helmet in hand, with a few members of the team’s training staff after just one hour. Harbaugh said Tuesday of Jackson’s extended absence that it was “just a matter of when the doctors are going to clear him and he’s going to feel good enough.”
The star quarterback is coming off a season in which he set career highs in passing yards and completion percentage while leading the Ravens to an NFL-best 13-4 regular-season record and an appearance in the AFC championship game. At 27 years old, he became the youngest player to be named NFL MVP twice.
In Jackson’s absence, 38-year-old veteran Josh Johnson, rookie sixth-round draft pick Devin Leary and undrafted rookie Emory Jones have been taking the snaps during practice and have mostly struggled. After practicing in “shells” — helmets and shoulder pads — for the first four days of camp, the team held its first full padded practice Friday.
This story will be updated.