Rap: ‘Some hope’ Lamar (ankle) plays in Week 6

“We do think we will have Lamar this game,” Minter said. Jackson practiced in full on Friday and has missed the last three weeks with his high-ankle sprain. He was officially cleared off the injury report. Jackson told reporters that he feels like “I’m no longer a statue.” Jackson will be “safe” to use as a QB1 against the Bills in what profiles as a fantasy points bonanza.

It’s the second consecutive full practice for Jackson, who is attempting to return from a three-game absence to face the Bills in Week 8. The two full sessions were also his first such practices since injuring his ankle, a positive development toward an active status in a marquee matchup. He’ll have one more opportunity to maintain his level of participation, which would likely keep him off the injury report heading into the weekend.

It’s Jackson’s first full practice since suffering the ankle injury in Week 4. Even with the many twists and turns in this latest injury saga, we’re comfortable assuming Jackson will play this week. The fact that he was held out this long hopefully means that he’s close to 100 percent healthy. Facing a likely shootout with the Bills, Jackson projects for the second-most fantasy points at his position, behind only Josh Allen.

Though it’s unclear what, exactly, is going on with Jackson’s lingering ankle injury, a Wednesday practice puts him in a good spot to suit up in Week 8 against the Bills. His return will be a boon for Zay Flowers and the rest of the Baltimore offense. If Jackson can’t play, Tyler Huntley will get another start and should be used in superflex formats.

Jackson surprisingly missed the Ravens’ Week 7 loss to the Bengals with his lingering ankle injury, which has been described as neither high nor low. “If Jackson’s injury history has taught the football world anything, his timeline to return can be complicated and an extended absence can derail the Ravens’ season,” Hensley said. “But ultimately, the only one who truly knows when Jackson will return is Jackson himself.” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said on Tuesday that he expected Jackson to suit up in Week 8 against the Bills. We likely won’t be sure of that until pre-game warmups. Tyler Huntley would continue as Baltimore’s starter if Jackson remains sidelined.

It’s Tuesday, so we’re only 10 more Lamar updates from getting to the weekend. Rapoport believes according to people he’s spoken with that Jackson will play, and he is “believed to be as close to 100 percent as he has been.” Rapoport also noted that the Ravens weren’t “shocked” that Jackson didn’t play in Week 7, but with a Sunday and a Thursday coming up, wanted him ready for Week 8 and Week 9 badly.

This comes just over 24 hours after it was reported that Jackson would play in Week 8 against the Bills. Speaking with the media on Monday, Minter played coy with his remarks about his QB1 while adding that the team will know more about his status when they take the practice field on Wednesday. Jackson was reportedly close to suiting up for Week 7 against the Browns, but we heard similar reports three weeks ago when the Ravens faced the Falcons. While Jackson missing another game would be a bit surprising at this point, it’s hard to be surprised by any games he misses at this stage in his career, as they often seem to linger longer than expected.

This makes it two straight games where Huntley and the Ravens failed to score in the second half. Huntley was solid in the first half, throwing for 227-1-0 on 21 passes, with his lone touchdown pass coming on a 48-yard screen pass to Zay Flowers on the Ravens’ opening drive. He would lead the Ravens on two drives that ended in field goals in the second quarter, but the Ravens struggled mightily in the second half as the Bengals rallied for 35 unanswered points. At one point, Huntley had the Ravens in position for a short field goal to go up 16-14, but passed on the points and opted to go for it on fourth-and-two, which resulted in an incomplete pass to tight end Josh Cuevas. It was reported during the game that Lamar Jackson (ankle) would be back for Week 8’s game against the Ravens. Now sitting at 4-3 on the year, it goes without saying that the Ravens are in desperate need of Jackson in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive AFC North division.

Reporting from the sideline of Sunday’s Ravens vs. Bengals game, Wolfson reports that Ravens head coach Jesse Minter told her Jackson would play in Week 8. According to Wolfson, the late decision to sit Jackson this week came after the team had a chance to review footage of Jackson in practice. Minter said Jackson still didn’t look like himself in practice, which is why the team opted to give him one more week away. This is the first time Minter has committed to Jackson returning, so hopefully this is a good sign for his Week 8 availability. We will, of course, be monitoring his practice throughout the week until he is fully removed from the injury report.

Washington was the only player carrying a questionable designation heading into Sunday’s game, but he has officially been ruled out with an ankle injury. Jackson, who is also dealing with an ankle injury, will miss his third-straight game, paving the way for Tyler Huntley to start in the pivotal AFC North matchup.