Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson believes his cramping against the Cleveland Browns was related to a recent bout of coronavirus.
Jackson returned late to fuel the Ravens' dramatic 47-42 win over the Browns on Monday, having missed most of the final quarter due to cramps.
The reigning NFL MVP tested positive for COVID-19 on Thanksgiving and made his comeback on December 6.
"Probably. Probably because of the body heat and we're running in the cold," Jackson replied when asked if his cramping was related to coronavirus.
"It was so cold out there. That probably had an effect on that as well. I can't call it."
The Ravens (8-5) surrendered their lead in Jackson's absence, going from 34-20 ahead to 35-34 down before a nail-biting conclusion against the Browns.
Jackson was 11-of-17 passing for 163 yards and a touchdown, while he rushed for 124 yards and two TDs on nine carries.
"The cramping was probably related to having COVID." pic.twitter.com/aoqxBfO6u4
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 16, 2020
"I was real-life cramping, like my hand, my throwing arm cramping, forearm cramping, fingers getting stuck together," Jackson added on Wednesday. "I was going through it. I was ticked off."
Jackson and the Ravens are now preparing for Sunday's clash with the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars (1-12).
Ravens star Jackson is 10-1 as a starter in the month of December. His only December loss was at the Kansas City Chiefs on December 9, 2018.
Jackson has a 19/2 touchdown-to-interception ratio in December over his career, the best mark in league history among quarterbacks with 250 career attempts in the month, per Stats Perform.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was asked about the coronavirus-cramp link, and he said: "Who knows?
"Is it that? Is it the nutrition [and] the diet for two weeks? It's kind of a mystery. I think the doctors are trying to figure all that stuff out, too."