Lamar Jackson frustrated by injury questions - 'Let's get real'

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — A day after Lamar Jackson announced he had requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens, the former NFL MVP quarterback was back on social media defending why he didn't play in last season's playoff game.

«Let's get real. I rather have a 100% PCL than go out there and play horrible forcing myself to put my guys in a bad situation now that's selfish to me,» Jackson tweeted Tuesday night.

Jackson pushed back against those who suggested he sat out the Ravens' 24-17 playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals because he had not reached a long-term deal with Baltimore.

«I don't remember me sitting out on my guys week 1 vs jets To week 12 vs Broncos,» Jackson tweeted. «How come all of a sudden I sit out because of money in which I could've got hurt at anytime within that time frame when we know the Super Bowl been on my mind since April 2018.»

Let's get real. I rather have a 100% PCL than go out there and play horrible forcing myself to put my guys in a bad situation now that's selfish to me.

When Jackson sprained his left knee Dec. 4, it was initially believed he would miss two to three weeks. But Jackson was sidelined for the final six games, including the postseason loss at the Bengals.

Three days before that playoff game, Jackson ruled himself out with a tweet that said his knee «remains unstable» and that his injury was more serious than originally believed.

Asked at the end of the season whether Jackson's absence was contract-related, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said: «Lamar can speak to that, but my feeling is no. I think Lamar was hurt. It was just bad timing and I think bad luck for us and bad luck for Lamar.»

On Monday, Jackson created drama at the NFL's annual league meeting when he tweeted