Lamar Jackson will play Sunday at the Buffalo Bills after missing three games with a high ankle sprain. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player says the pain in his left ankle is “bearable.” He returned to full practice this week for the first time since hurting the ankle 26 days ago. ESPN reported the quarterback is ready to give it a shot, though he has not been running at full speed.
This return changes everything for a Ravens team that has lost two straight games and sits in last place in the AFC North. The numbers show how much Baltimore struggles without him. With Jackson playing since he became the full-time starter in 2019, the Ravens are roughly 80-36. Without him over the past seven seasons, the team is about 7-13. That is a massive drop in performance that no other player can fix.
The Rust Factor Is Real
Even though Jackson practiced all week, he has not played in 26 days. The Ravens know this creates a rust factor. They tried to make practice reps look like game situations to help him get ready. Coach Jesse Minter says he expects Jackson to look like himself soon. “I think he’ll look like Lamar Jackson,” Minter said. He added that the quarterback has done a great job dealing with the injury and getting better.
Jackson admits he is not at full strength yet. Although he avoided giving a percentage for his condition, he noted that his ankle had improved compared to last week. During media viewing of practices, he was never seen running at full speed. However, he did not favor the ankle when jogging briskly. His left ankle was taped during every practice session this week.
Ignoring the Noise
Social media has been loud about Jackson missing games. Fans have tagged him to question why he sits out when hurt. Jackson does not care about the noise. Responding to inquiries about what he would tell doubting fans regarding his choice to play injured, he stated, “Why would you second-guess me?” He feels like he is no longer a statue and can move around a little better. He is ready to take the risk.
The team knows they cannot rely on him to carry the whole load. Teammates say his return gives an emotional lift, but the coaching staff knows the limits. The Ravens have talked about reaching a crossroads in the season. They need a win to get back on track. The Bills have won the last two meetings in Buffalo, including a 41-40 thriller to open last season and a 27-25 playoff win in January 2025.
The Stakes Are High
Baltimore is 4-3 and needs to climb out of last place in the division. The sense of urgency is extremely high according to reports. “We’re trying to get back to where we should be,” he said. The Bills are 5-1 and coming off a strong start. This game will show if the Ravens are contenders or just a team going through a rough patch.
Jackson’s rushing ability is the one thing that makes this offense special. Even if he is not at 100 percent, his presence changes how the defense plays. The Ravens average 28 points per game with him, but only 17.6 without him. That gap is too big to ignore. The team must get back to winning ways if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.
