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Jackson disputes Harbaugh's claim about increased rushing attempts

Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It appears Lamar Jackson isn't ready to "bet the over" on his 2019 rushing attempts.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that he expects the second-year quarterback to surpass Cam Newton's career-high 139 rushing attempts. Jackson, however, says he's more focused on working on his passing game.

"Not that I've been seeing," he said, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "I've been throwing the ball a lot (in practice), way more than running."

Jackson ran the ball 147 times last season in only seven games started. Some believed the Ravens would limit his carries going forward to help him avoid injuries that are typically associated with run-heavy quarterbacks.

Baltimore's offense promises to be a unique one this upcoming season, but Jackson's teammates don't want to force him to play a certain way.

"My thing with him is I don't want to get caught up in, 'You got to be a pocket passer, you got to be this,'" safety Earl Thomas said. "No, Lamar, you be who you are. Be special. If you have to take off, take off. Make the defense work."

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