Lamar Jackson is finally a full participant in practice again for the Baltimore Ravens! The man missed the last three games with an ankle injury, and Wednesday was the first time he’d gone full since then. Huge news for that offense, right?
The Lions Get a Big Return (with a Catch)
Baltimore isn’t the only team getting some good news though. Over in Detroit, the Lions welcomed back All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph, even if it was in a limited capacity. This is a massive step for him, considering he missed the *entire* final 11 games of the 2025 season because of a degenerative knee condition. Seriously, talk about grinding to get back on the field. This was his first practice since last season.
NFC Teams Banged Up for Thursday Night Football
While some stars are returning, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The Carolina Panthers are rolling into their Week 8 “Thursday Night Football” game against the Green Bay Packers looking like they ran a marathon. They’re going to be without linebacker Jaelan Phillips (hamstring), corner Akayleb Evans (triceps/knee), and guard Damien Lewis (knee). Oh, and one of Lewis’ backups, Torricelli Simpkins III (ankle), is out too. None of those guys even saw a practice field this week. Defensive tackle Bobby Brown III (hand) is also questionable.
The Green Bay Packers are just as beat up. Linebacker Zaire Franklin (shin) is out for his second game in a row after a nasty knee to the shin in practice last week. He didn’t practice all week. Their offensive line is getting a total shake-up for Week 8, with center Sean Rhyan (ankle) and right guard Travis Glover (knee) both ruled out. They’re literally starting third-string center John Williams because both Rhyan and Jacob Monk (now on injured reserve with a quad issue) went down in Detroit on Sunday. You gotta wonder if Kevin Zeitler, who they signed before Week 4, is finally going to debut.
And get this: wide receiver Matthew Golden, who’s 10th in the *entire NFL* with 512 receiving yards, is questionable for the Packers. He missed Monday and Tuesday practice but did get in a limited walkthrough on Wednesday for his shoulder and foot. Also questionable for Green Bay are defensive tackles Devonte Wyatt (ankle) and Anthony Campbell (ankle), plus defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. (quadricep). That’s a lot of key guys.
Ravens Still Have Some Niggles
Back to the Ravens, even with Lamar Jackson back to full speed, they’ve got their own injury list for the Buffalo Bills game. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell and left tackle Ronnie Stanley both took veteran rest days. Plus, safety Kyle Hamilton (knee), safety Jaylinn Hawkins (knee), guard Olaivavega Ioane (knee), and linebacker Roquan Smith (knee) all sat out Wednesday’s practice. It’s a grind out there, folks.
It’s Week 8 and every team is feeling the heat. Lamar Jackson’s return is a massive boost, but those Panthers and Packers are limping into Thursday Night Football. Keep an eye on those offensive lines and defensive gaps. It’s going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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