Jackson replaces Flacco as No. 1 QB; new era for Ravens

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh on Wednesday selected rookie Lamar Jackson as his starting quarterback over Joe Flacco, opting to play the hot hand rather than a Super Bowl MVP who has been starting since his inaugural season in 2008.

After Flacco hurt his right hip in a loss to Pittsburgh on Nov 4, Jackson became the starter. Under his guidance, the Ravens ramped up their running game and went 3-1, the loss coming in overtime Sunday at Kansas City.

“Every decision is based on making us the strongest possible team we can be,” Harbaugh said. “Whether it’s quarterback or defensive line, that’s the bottom line. That’s what it boils down to. That’s how we feel about this decision, and we’re rolling.”

Jackson will start Sunday when the Ravens (7-6) host Tampa Bay (5-8).

“They drafted Lamar in the first round. At some point, something was going to happen between the two of us,” Flacco said. “Who knows what that was going to be? This is just what it is at this point.”

Commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL won’t pay for video evidence in cases involving domestic violence, and he defended the league’s handling of those investigations.

The NFL came under scrutiny again when surveillance video — which both a hotel and police declined to make available to the league — showed former Kansas City running back Kareem Hunt shoving and kicking a woman in a Cleveland hotel in February. Hunt was placed on the exempt list, then waived by the Chiefs after the video was aired by TMZ.

“First off, we don’t pay for video evidence,” Goodell said. “We’re not going to do it by corrupting people or trying to find a way to bribe them into giving us video. That’s not what we do.”

The New Orleans Saints released wide receiver Brandon Marshall and claimed tight end Erik Swoope off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks, a Cal alum, was placed on injured reserve because of a broken leg.

The Chicago Bears placed cornerback Bryce Callahan on IR because of a broken left foot.