Lamar Jackson might actually hit the practice field this week. That’s the word from head coach Jesse Minter on Monday, saying Jackson could “potentially” practice as he battles to get back from an ankle injury before a massive showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals. Folks, that “potentially” is doing a whole lot of heavy lifting for the Ravens right now.
Jackson’s Absence Has Been A Rollercoaster
This ankle injury has already cost Jackson two games, and the Ravens’ record without him is a real mixed bag. They snagged a 30-23 overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons, which was huge, but then stumbled to a 13-10 loss against the Cleveland Browns. Right now, Baltimore sits at 4-2, tangled in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC North. Cincinnati is hot on their heels at 3-2, just a half-game back. You see why this weekend’s game isn’t just big, it absolutely looms large. Jackson’s health became a major storyline early on, after he exited that Week 4 contest against the Tennessee Titans. Everyone had eyes on his status for the Week 6 clash with the Browns, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter even reported there was “a realistic chance” he’d play. He didn’t. The team definitely needs their star back, especially with the division this tight.
Why Lamar Jackson Changes Everything
Let’s be real, the Ravens’ chances of hitting all their season goals rest squarely on Lamar Jackson being out there and healthy. The dude is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, full stop. His resume screams it: two league MVPs, three First-Team All-Pro nods, and four Pro Bowl selections. His ability to dominate with both his arm and his legs is practically unrivaled, creating nightmare matchups for every defense trying to scheme against him. In his four games this season, he’s completed a stellar 70.8 percent of his passes for 967 yards, six touchdowns, and just one interception. Add in another 144 yards and a score on the ground, and you see why he’s indispensable. Luckily for the Ravens, they do have a capable backup in Tyler Huntley, who went 2-0 as a starter in the 2025 season and then led that overtime win against the Falcons. Huntley can help them tread water, for sure, but to truly compete, they need Jackson.
The stakes are only going to climb. After the Bengals this weekend, the Ravens have the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars waiting in the next two weeks. That’s a brutal stretch. Baltimore needs Jackson healthy as fast as humanly possible if they want to make any real noise this season. All eyes are on that “potentially” to become a reality.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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