Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that he expects quarterback Lamar Jackson to report to mandatory minicamp next week.
"I know he's working hard … I fully expect him to come back in great shape," Harbaugh said. "I'm sure he's throwing. I'm sure he's doing a good job. When he gets back here, we'll be rolling with Lamar."
Jackson has not participated in the team's first three weeks of organized team activities, skipping all eight of the voluntary workouts. This is the first time in Jackson’s five-year NFL career that he has chosen not to attend the spring workouts, and Jackson hasn’t given a reason for his absence.
Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, is entering his fifth-year option, which will pay him $23.016 million this season. If the sides are unable to reach a new deal by February, Baltimore is expected to use the franchise tag on him.
After being absent from the first OTAs last month, Jackson tweeted “Can’t wait to get back” and told teammates that he would return soon. Jackson has been holding private throwing sessions in Florida and California with wide receivers Rashod Bateman and James Proche II, as well as throwing coach Adam Dedeaux.
Last week, Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Jackson will have some catching up to do when he comes back.
"We kind of went back and changed some things and added some things,” Roman said. "There are definitely some things that are new. There are also a bunch of things that he’s pretty well-adjusted to — probably 80% stuff he knows, 20% stuff that we look forward to working on.”