Lamar Jackson is back.
After missing three straight games with a high left ankle sprain, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback is set to return Sunday against the Buffalo Bills in one of Week 8’s biggest matchups.
Jackson practiced fully all week, and head coach Jesse Minter said Friday that Baltimore expects him to start. The timing could not be better for a Ravens team that went 1-2 without him and enters the weekend at 4-3.
Lamar Jackson Cleared to Return vs. Bills
Baltimore announced Friday that Jackson will return after logging three full practices this week.
Jackson said the ankle still is not completely pain-free, but the discomfort has become manageable enough for him to play.
He described the difference from last week as significant, saying he feels more mobile and no longer like a “statue” in the pocket.
That matters because Jackson’s game is built around movement as much as arm talent. If he is going to be himself against Buffalo, Baltimore needs him comfortable enough to extend plays, threaten the edge and force defenders to account for his legs.
Why Jackson Missed Three Games
Jackson suffered the ankle injury on Oct. 4 and later described it as a high ankle sprain.
He returned to practice last week but remained limited and ultimately did not play against Cincinnati after waking up with additional swelling.
Jackson told reporters this week that the pain is now bearable and that he feels ready to give it a shot.
The Ravens clearly wanted to avoid rushing him back before he could move naturally. That patience now appears to have paid off.
Baltimore Was Not the Same Without Him
The Ravens managed to survive Jackson’s absence, but the offense changed dramatically.
Baltimore went 1-2 with Tyler Huntley starting the last three games.
In Jackson’s four starts this season, the Ravens averaged 29 points per game. During the three-game stretch without him, that number dropped to 17.7.
That difference is not subtle.
Jackson is not just another starting quarterback returning from injury. He changes what Baltimore can call, how defenses align and how much space the running game has to operate.
Jackson Returns to a Ravens Team That Needs Him Now
Baltimore enters Sunday at 4-3 and last in the AFC North.
The Ravens have lost back-to-back division games and cannot afford to let another week slip away while Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Cincinnati continue to build separation.
Jackson said Thursday that the team’s sense of urgency is “extremely high.”
That is exactly what this game feels like.
The Bills are 5-1. Baltimore is 4-3. Another loss would push the Ravens further behind in the AFC playoff race, while a win would immediately restore some momentum.
Josh Allen Makes the Return Even Bigger
Jackson’s first game back comes against Josh Allen, which raises the stakes even more.
The two quarterbacks have become one of the defining comparisons of this era, and Buffalo has had the upper hand in the matchup.
Jackson is 2-4 against the Bills, including the playoffs.
The Ravens also lost their most recent meeting with Buffalo, a 41-40 shootout in last season’s opener.
That makes Sunday less of a tune-up and more of a full-speed test.
Will Lamar Jackson Be Limited?
That is the biggest remaining question.
Minter has said he expects Jackson to play his normal game, and Jackson practiced fully all week.
Still, ankle injuries can affect more than just straight-line speed. Cutting, resetting in the pocket and absorbing contact all matter.
For Baltimore, the best-case scenario is that Jackson does not need to carry the offense by himself.
Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews can all help keep the burden from falling entirely on the quarterback’s legs.
The Ravens Need the Offense to Look Like Itself Again
This is the part of Jackson’s return that matters most.
Baltimore’s offense is designed around the stress he creates before the snap.
Defenses have to account for quarterback runs.
Linebackers have to hesitate on play-action.
Safeties have to respect the deep ball when Jackson buys extra time.
Without that threat, the Ravens became easier to defend.
With Jackson back, the entire structure changes again.
What Comes Next?
Jackson is expected to start Sunday against Buffalo.
He is no longer listed with a game designation after full participation in all three practices this week.
The ankle is not completely pain-free, but it has improved enough for Baltimore to put its franchise quarterback back on the field.
For a Ravens team trying to stop a two-game skid and climb back into the AFC North race, the return could not come at a more important time.
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