The Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will play Sunday at the Buffalo Bills, saying the pain in his injured left ankle is “bearable.”
The two-time NFL MVP has missed the last three games with a high ankle sprain, which he suffered in a win over the Tennessee Titans 26 days ago. This week he was a full participant in all three practices, his first full week of work since the injury.
“I feel like I’m no longer a statue,” Jackson said after Friday’s practice. “I’m able to move around a little better. I can give it a shot.”
In the practice viewing windows open to media this week, Jackson was never seen running at full speed.
He didn’t favor the ankle when jogging briskly, though, and he had it taped for every practice, ESPN reported.
He wouldn’t put a percentage on how he feels, but it doesn’t sound like he’s at full strength.
ackson’s return should lift the team emotionally, his teammates said this week. The Ravens were also clear that they can’t just rely on him to carry them.
Still, they’re a different team when he plays. Since he became a full-time starter in 2019, Baltimore is 76-35 (.684) with Jackson, averaging 28 points a game. Without him over the past seven seasons, the Ravens are 7-14 (.333) and average 17.6 points.
They know about the rust factor, too, and tried to make practice feel as close to game reps as they could.
“I think he’ll look like Lamar Jackson,” Ravens coach Mike Minter said. “Again, I think he’s just done such a good job dealing with the injury and doing things to help it get better and get better and get better. And I think now he’ll be in a position to be able to play Lamar Jackson football.”
Hardman Released by Buffalo as Bills Trim Roster to 53 Players
Yankeescores reported that the Buffalo Bills released veteran returner and wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr.
The decisions to release Hardman and Wishnowsky occurred as Buffalo sought to reduce the roster to 53 players before the NFL deadline
