The Baltimore Ravens faced a fine of $100,000 for breaching the NFL’s injury report policy concerning quarterback Lamar Jackson. The violation stemmed from the team incorrectly listing Jackson as a full participant in practice on October 24, 2023, despite him only participating in the scout team, which does not qualify as full practice participation.
The NFL determined that the error was due to negligence rather than an intent to gain a competitive advantage, allowing the Ravens to avoid potential penalties such as the loss of draft picks. The team has decided not to contest the fine.
In an official statement, the Ravens emphasized the importance of operating with integrity and adhering to NFL guidelines. They acknowledged the mistake in their reporting of Jackson’s practice status and expressed their commitment to future compliance. “We clearly made an error regarding player injury reporting and cooperated transparently with the league’s investigation,” the statement read.
The incident arose when the Ravens initially listed Jackson as a full participant before revising his status to limited the following day, ultimately ruling him out for the game against the Chicago Bears. According to the league’s injury report policy, participation on the scout team does not equate to full practice participation, especially for a player like Jackson, who was dealing with a right hamstring injury.
Prior to the game against the Bears, Jackson had been designated as a limited participant during practices on Wednesday and Thursday of that week. His upgrade to full participation on Friday suggested he might be ready to play. After reassessing Jackson’s practice involvement, the Ravens stated they revised his status after further evaluation and discussions with the league office.
In Jackson’s absence, Tyler Huntley stepped in as quarterback, leading the Ravens to a 30-16 victory over the Bears. Following the game, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh described the violation as “an honest mistake.”
Bears head coach Ben Johnson noted the team’s preparation for Jackson, stating, “We were preparing for Lamar, and then when we found out he wasn’t playing, we got ready for the next guy.”
The Ravens’ fine highlights the importance of accurate injury reporting in the NFL and the league’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field.
