Lamar Jackson will rejoin the Baltimore Ravens for their Week 8 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, giving their offense a major boost after three games without its starting quarterback. Jackson still feels some discomfort in his left ankle, but he believes his mobility has improved enough to play.
A high ankle sprain in the 24-18 Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans on October 4 kept the 29-year-old sidelined, giving Tyler Huntley the reins in recent games. Jackson completed all three practices this week, putting him in position to make his first start since the injury.
The two-time MVP acknowledged that his ankle is not completely healed, particularly when planting his foot, but he feels considerably better than he did a week ago, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
“I feel like I'm no longer a statue,” Jackson told reporters Friday. “I'm able to move around a little better, so I can give it a shot.”
Baltimore went 1-2 without Jackson, losing consecutive games to AFC North rivals the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. Against the Bengals, the Ravens blew a 13-0 halftime lead and surrendered 35 unanswered points in the second half, exposing how much they missed Jackson's playmaking ability.
Article Continues BelowJackson was playing at an MVP level before his injury. Through four games, he completed 70.8% of his passes for 967 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. He also ran for 144 yards and a score, giving Baltimore another dimension that the team struggled to replicate during his absence.
Jackson's return could boost Baltimore against a Bills defense allowing 28.5 points per game. However, he must prove his ankle can handle the demands of a full game.