OWINGS MILLS, Md. — There was a fresh energy on the practice field this week, with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson practicing again Thursday as he works his way back from a right hamstring injury.
When asked about the return of the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player after he missed 14 straight practices over three weeks, running back Derrick Henry flashed his pearly whites. “Hell yeah” he was happy to have Jackson out there. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken said he felt excited too.
Jackson practicing in a limited capacity for the second straight day is a positive sign toward his potential availability for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium. He hasn’t played since suffering the injury during a Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 28.
But nothing is definitive. Coach John Harbaugh declined to provide a potential return date for Jackson after Wednesday’s practice and is not scheduled to speak to reporters again until Friday when game statuses are announced.
“It’s hard to put a number on it,” he said. “I don’t have any sharable injury intelligence at this point.”
Added Monken: “It’s the player that really has to feel comfortable going out there and putting themselves in a position to play. If he says he’s ready to go, I’m ready to go.”
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey also returned to practice Thursday after being absent Wednesday with an illness. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (illness) was the only absence for a team that desperately needs to be full strength in what feels like a must-win game on Sunday. A loss would drop the Ravens to 1-6, a hole so deep no team in the modern NFL era has climbed out of it and made the playoffs.
The Ravens also are expected to have fullback Patrick Ricard make his season debut after a calf injury in mid-August kept him out of practice until two weeks ago.
“Big, big reason why we had so much success last year,” Henry said of Ricard. “Excited to have him back healthy.”
The Ravens have struggled mightily when Jackson has not played with a 4-12 record in those contests since he became the starting quarterback in 2018. He has missed the last two games and the Ravens lost both, 44-10 to the Houston Texans and then 17-3 to the Los Angeles Rams before last week’s bye.
Backups Cooper Rush and Tyler Huntley have filled in during Jackson’s absence. Rush came off the bench against the Chiefs and has started the last two games, passing for a combined 303 yards and no touchdowns to go with four interceptions. Huntley came off the bench against the Rams and completed 10 of 15 passes for 68 yards and also ran three times for 39 yards.
The Ravens practiced this week with as healthy a team as they’ve had since the start of the season. But this must-win game hinges heavily on Jackson’s availability.
Originally Published:
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