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Harbaugh almost played Snead at QB before Lamar's miraculous MNF return

Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

In one of the most exciting games of the 2020 NFL season, Lamar Jackson returned from a cramping episode to lead the Baltimore Ravens to a comeback 47-42 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night in Week 14.

The victory was a part of a five-game winning streak to close the season that propelled Baltimore into the divisional round of the playoffs.

However, as Ravens head coach John Harbaugh recalled, things looked bleak for Baltimore late in that Monday night classic. Trailing 35-34 with two minutes left and Jackson in the locker room, backup quarterback Trace McSorley suffered a season-ending injury.

"'Who's the quarterback? It's Willie. (Receiver) Willie Snead's the quarterback.' ... and I look over at Willie and he's looking right at me, taking a snap from the center. He looks at me and he says, 'coach, coach, this is my time to shine,'" Harbaugh recalled to Charles Davis on a Hudl podcast.

Snead is a seven-year veteran, and while he has 275 career receptions, he's thrown just one pass in the NFL - a 50-yard touchdown while with the New Orleans Saints in 2016.

While considering putting Snead under center, another option emerged for Harbaugh.

"(Kicker Justin) Tucker, who always runs right by me when he wants to kick a field goal, comes clicking by me, spins around, and looks at me like, 'Am I kicking the field goal?'" the coach said. "I look at him and I go, 'It's 68 yards!' And he kind of looks at me and goes, 'Yeah.' And I go, 'Can you make it?' Then I'm thinking it might be a good idea.

"Then he looks at me and he says, 'I think I've got a better chance than Willie.'"

Luckily Harbaugh didn't have to choose between those two options.

"Just then, before the decision has to get made, the trainer taps me on the shoulder and says, 'He's back!'" Harbaugh said.

Jackson, who had been out since midway through the third quarter with cramps, returned from the locker room and immediately threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown.

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