Lamar Jackson is set to start for the Ravens at the Bills on Sunday. Head coach Jesse Minter announced the decision Friday, per Jeff Zrebiec, as reported by NFL Trade Rumors. Jackson has missed three games. Minter also said Jackson had a full week of practice without limitations, per Ian Rapoport.
The outlets differ on the injury. Pro Football Talk describes a hamstring problem. Yahoo Sports, ESPN and NFL Trade Rumors all say ankle, and Yahoo and ESPN specify a high ankle sprain. Yahoo also says he has been out since Week 4. The weight of the reporting, including Minter's account as relayed by NFL Trade Rumors, points to the ankle, and the PFT hamstring reference looks like the outlier. ESPN adds that Jackson called the ankle pain "bearable." NFL Trade Rumors says he told reporters his mobility has improved. Yahoo quotes him on the return: "That's what I'm ready to do." Not every outlet frames Sunday as a firm decision. ESPN says he is "expected" to play, and PFT says he "plans" to.
Our game logs show how much Baltimore has missed him. Jackson played in the first four games, through the Oct. 4 game against Tennessee. He completed 68 of 96 passes (70.8%) for 967 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. His passer rating was 119.6 and he averaged 10.1 yards per attempt. He added 144 yards on 19 carries, 7.6 per carry, with a rushing touchdown. In his last start he went 15 of 20 for 222 yards and two touchdowns. He was also sacked seven times in those four games. Those sacks matter for a quarterback coming back from a high ankle sprain.
The Ravens are 4-3 and fourth in the AFC North, and they have lost two straight. They lost 13-10 at Cleveland on Oct. 18 and then 35-13 to Cincinnati on Oct. 25, a game in which they scored 13 points and gave up 35. Their last win was 30-23 at Atlanta on Oct. 11. The sources don't say who started in his absence, and we haven't checked.
Buffalo is 5-1 and first in the AFC East, with two straight wins. The Bills beat the Raiders 33-30 on Oct. 18 and the Rams 37-34 on Oct. 12, and their only loss was 29-26 to New England on Oct. 4. Their games have been high-scoring, so Jackson's availability matters.
Sun, Nov 1, 1:00 PM ET
Baltimore visits Buffalo on Sunday, Nov. 1. Further detail on Jackson's status should come with the final injury report and the team's updates before then.
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