Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is tracking toward a potential return to the lineup for Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, though the team has stopped short of officially confirming his starting status. Ian Rapoport indicated a favorable trend for Jackson’s availability following a three-game absence due to a left ankle injury sustained on Oct. 4 against the Tennessee Titans.
Jesse Minter Outlines Practice Evaluation Schedule
The decision regarding Jackson’s game-day readiness rests largely on his participation during practice sessions. Jesse Minter explained on Monday that the team will know significantly more about their quarterback’s prospects following Wednesday’s workouts. “I think he will be in a rather favorable situation, but we will know a lot more Wednesday,” Minter said. Last week, Jackson engaged in limited practices before ultimately being ruled out ahead of the team’s Week 7 contest.
Ankle Mobility Remains the Central Metric
For Jackson, the hurdle in returning to action involves more than simply playing through discomfort. The quarterback noted that his primary concern centers on regaining his usual speed, acceleration, and change-of-direction abilities. “If I can not do that, I can not help my team,” Jackson explained previously. CBS Sports reporter Tracy Wolfson noted that Jackson's absence from the recent lineup surprised observers and showed how vital his mobility is to the Ravens' offensive scheme.
Ravens Struggle During Jackson Absence Before Facing Bills
The Ravens enter the Week 8 fixture holding a 4-3 record after dropping consecutive games during Jackson’s absence. Following an initial victory over Atlanta without their starting signal-caller, Baltimore fell to Cleveland and suffered a 35-13 defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley recorded 298 passing yards against Cincinnati but absorbed four sacks and threw an interception as the team squandered an early 13-0 halftime advantage. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills sit at 5-1 coming off their seventh-week bye.
With games against the Bills and Jaguars looming, the 4-3 Ravens need QB Lamar Jackson. It's unclear when his high-ankle sprain will allow him to return. https://t.co/hUDvBIAdx4
Impact on Derrick Henry and the Ground Game
Baltimore’s rushing attack has experienced diminished output while operating without its primary dual-threat quarterback. Running back Derrick Henry was held to 58 yards against Cleveland and managed just 45 yards on 17 carries against Cincinnati. The presence of Jackson on the field forces defenders to account for a potential run threat, a dynamic that coaching staffs anticipate will create larger running lanes for Henry and alleviate pressure on the offensive line.
Remaining Questions Before Sunday Kickoff
While reports point toward Jackson rejoining the offense for the 1 p.m. ET kickoff in Orchard Park, New York, the coaching staff has not issued a definitive timeline for his clearance. Whether Jackson can execute his full repertoire of pocket exits and open-field elusiveness will dictate the final medical and tactical decisions made ahead of Sunday’s game.
More on Lamar Jackson
Related reading
