OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Early in the second quarter of the season opener at Kansas City, Lamar Jackson, as he had done so many times against the Chiefs, dropped back and found a running lane. Jackson scrambled for 7 yards and then headed for the sideline around midfield.
Before going out of bounds, though, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player surprisingly lowered his left shoulder and delivered a shot to Chiefs safety Jaylen Watson. Jackson, who has been known for avoiding big hits, initiated one this time.
"I think I've [gotten] hit like that before -- going on the sideline [when] I'm about to step out and somebody hits me," Jackson said.