Availability confirmed; Jackson upbeat despite lingering discomfort
Lamar Jackson is set to start Sunday at Buffalo after missing Baltimore's last three games with a high ankle sprain. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter confirmed Jackson is on track to play, saying, "We do think we'll have Lamar this week," Yardbarker reported.
Jackson said he is "excited" to "be back on the field with my guys," and described his current mobility as an improvement from last weekend, saying he feels "no longer a statue." While he acknowledged ongoing discomfort when he plants his foot, he said the pain is "bearable" and added, "I’m out there playing football" and "I’m out there trying to win." He also revealed he was ruled out for the Bengals matchup after he woke up last Saturday with swelling in his injured ankle.
Buffalo head coach Joe Brady, speaking in his Friday press conference, did not expect to see a limited version of Jackson. "I’m sure he’s good to go," Brady said, Profootballtalk reported.
Why this return matters: past results and recent form
Jackson's availability changes the dynamic for Baltimore heading into a challenging road environment. He has extensive playoff- and regular-season history against Buffalo: in five regular-season meetings he has a 3-2 record, completed 67 percent of his passes for 678 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions, and rushed 41 times for 276 yards with two rushing touchdowns.
This season Jackson has shown efficiency in his appearances, completing 70.8 percent of his passes for 967 yards with six touchdowns and one interception across four games. Those numbers underline why his return is a focal point for the Ravens' preparation and why opposing coaches are watching closely.
Jackson had indicated earlier he planned to return against Cincinnati, but he was ruled out for that game after he woke up with swelling in the injured ankle. That setback extended his absence to three games before he was cleared to start in Buffalo.
The immediate stakes are clear: Jackson's presence restores a familiar leader for Baltimore's offense and provides the team its best chance to settle in against a tough opponent. He and the Ravens will discover how much — and how quickly — he can reassert himself once the first snap is taken at Highmark Stadium.
