Lamar Jackson Responds Angrily to Ravens’ $100,000 Fine Over Injury Reporting, Calls Penalty "Unfair" and "Misguided"
Lamar Jackson has responded fiercely to the $100,000 fine imposed on the Baltimore Ravens regarding the handling of his injury status, calling the penalty “unfair” and criticizing both the league and the situation as a whole.
The fine, levied by the NFL, came after the Ravens were found to have violated injury reporting protocols related to Jackson’s knee issue. Despite being cleared to play and continuing his strong performances on the field, Jackson’s injury status had raised questions when the Ravens did not initially disclose the severity of the issue, leading to the fine.
“It’s ridiculous,” Jackson said in a passionate response following the announcement of the fine. “I’ve been playing through pain all season. The team’s been transparent with me, and I’ve always given everything I have for this franchise. To have us hit with a fine over something like this is just wrong.”
Jackson emphasized that the Ravens medical staff and coaching staff were always in constant communication with him regarding his recovery. “I’ve been on the field when I felt ready to go, and I’ve been following what the doctors told me to do,” he continued. “I don’t understand why this fine is coming down on us when all we’ve done is focus on winning games and making sure I’m healthy.”
The Ravens’ handling of Jackson’s knee injury has been a focal point throughout the season, with some critics questioning whether the team was adequately transparent about his recovery timeline. Despite this, Jackson remained adamant that his injury and playing through discomfort were part of his commitment to the team.
“I’m a competitor,” Jackson said. “I’m always going to do what I can to help this team win, but I also want to make sure I’m doing things the right way. This fine feels like an attack on us, and it’s not fair. We’re focused on getting better, and that’s all that should matter.”
Jackson also pushed back against the notion that the team had intentionally withheld information or misrepresented his injury. “The league can say what they want, but we know the truth. It’s just frustrating to have this hanging over us when we’re just trying to play football.”
Despite the fine and the ongoing scrutiny of his injury situation, Jackson has remained determined to keep playing and helping the Ravens succeed. “I’m not going to let this distract me,” he said. “We’ve got a season to finish, and I’m all in for this team. I’ll keep playing my game, and we’ll deal with the rest later.”
As the Ravens continue their push for the playoffs, all eyes will remain on Jackson’s health, his ability to perform at an elite level, and how the team manages future injury reports in light of this penalty.
The Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster
The Tampa Bay Lightning (5-4-2) are getting back in their groove, winning four straight games after their 2-1 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars. While the Lightning look to rise to the top of the Atlantic Division their American Hockey League (AHL, Syracuse Crunch) and ECHL teams (Orlando Solar Bears) are heading in opposite directions. The Crunch are cruising, with a 6-1-0-0 record, which leads the North Division, while the Solar Bears own a dreadful 1-4-0-0 record, allowing twice as many goals (20) as they’ve scored.
Even still, there are standouts littered in the minors for Tampa Bay, and in some instances, the Lightning could decide to promote some of them on the NHL roster.
AHL: Jakob Pelletier, F
The Lightning signed Pelletier to a three-year contract last offseason in the hopes he’d reach his massive upside. At 24 years old, the 2019 first-round pick scored four goals and seven assists with a plus-10 rating in 24 games for the Calgary Flames last season. That’s an average of about 14-24-38 over a full season, and he was usually playing bottom-six minutes.
Unfortunately, the Flames traded the winger to Philadelphia for Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost in late January. Pelletier couldn’t get back his offensive spark in Philadelphia. With the Flyers, he scored just three goals, five assists, and eight points in 25 games, sometimes being healthy scratched. When he was due $840,000 on a qualifying offer on a two-way deal, the Flyers non-tendered him, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Pelletier hasn’t made his debut with the Lightning, but with the Crunch, he’s thriving. Through seven games, Pelletier has notched four goals and five assists, with a plus-1 rating. He currently leads the Crunch in points and goals. In a 5-2 win against the Hershey Bears, Pelletier had two goals and an assist.
If Pelletier keeps this pace up, the Lightning could recall him, and he could be an injection of youth Tampa Bay desperately needs right now.
AHL: Dylan Duke, F
Dylan Duke is another young talent the Lightning hope can evolve into an NHL-caliber forward. He was drafted 121st overall by Tampa Bay after a stellar career with the Michigan Wolverines. In 2023-24, Duke was on a team with NHL draftees Gavin Brindley, Rutger McGroarty, and Seamus Casey. However, Duke led the team in goals (26) and finished third in points (49). Overall, he finished with 54 goals and 46 assists in 123 games.
Duke has just one goal in the NHL level so far, but he is turning a new leaf with the Crunch this season. He’s scored one goal and added six assists for seven points through seven games. He is currently in the top 20 in assists in the AHL level.
It appears Duke could be taking a big jump from his rookie season, when he scored 20 goals, 20 assists, and 40 points through 62 games. Like Pelletier, Duke is another young forward the Lightning are looking to develop into an NHL-caliber player. Unlike Pelletier, Duke is just 22, and he has time to grow and become another late-round NHL contributor for the Lightning.
ECHL: Spencer Kersten, F
It’s hard to find a standout for the Solar Bears this season, but there’s one player who’s been tried and true for them. Spencer Kersten continues to shine for Orlando.
Kersten spent four years with Princeton University and one year at Bowling-Green University before signing with the Solar Bears in 2024. In his rookie season, Kersten shined, recording 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points through 60 games. That earned him a spot on the 2024-25 ECHL All-Rookie team.
This year, Kersten has increased his scoring output, with three goals and three assists for six points through five games. He is on pace to record 86 points this season.
That could earn Kersten a recall to the AHL. His strong play with Orlando earned him brief stints with the Crunch and the Belleville Senators on loan. He scored one goal in nine games with the Crunch, but he could be in line for more opportunities in the AHL if he keeps up this pace.
