FOX Sports analyst and NFL legend Tom Brady offered high praise for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson as the two-time MVP prepares to return from a hamstring injury in Thursday night’s primetime showdown against the Miami Dolphins.
Jackson has been sidelined since Week 4 with a right hamstring strain that initially appeared to be a two-week absence but stretched far longer than expected. Brady, having experienced his own return from injury, said of Jackson’s return to play, “It’s going to be emotional.”
What Were All the Shenanigans About Last Week?
Jackson’s injury created significant confusion heading into Week 8 when the Ravens retroactively changed Jackson’s practice designation from “full” to “limited,” ultimately ruling him out again and forcing backup Tyler Huntley into another start.
Baltimore’s decision to hold Jackson out for an additional week likely centered on practicality rather than any goofy misdirection. The Ravens faced a quick turnaround with Thursday night’s contest against Miami, and asking Jackson to play two games in four days after missing three straight games with a gimpy hamstring was risky.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh expressed strong confidence in Jackson’s availability earlier this week, telling reporters, “I feel very confident about it, and we’re expecting him to be out there Thursday night”. The optimism proved accurate, and Ravens fans are aflutter with the idea of their superhero at the helm on national TV.
“It was so gratifying to fight through this extended period of time where you’re out and then you go in and you lead your team to victory.”
With @Lj_era8 and @jjmccarthy09 set to return in Week 9, @TomBrady shares what it’s like mentally for a QB coming back from injury 💪 pic.twitter.com/nWJ96fpvUi
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 30, 2025
Critical Moment for Baltimore Ravens’ Playoff Hopes
Jackson’s return couldn’t arrive at a more crucial juncture for Baltimore’s postseason aspirations. The Ravens entered Week 8 with just an 8.0% chance of making the playoffs, but Sunday’s 30-16 victory over Chicago boosted those odds to 18.4%.
The Ravens’ Week 8 win snapped a four-game losing streak and kept Baltimore’s faint playoff hopes alive. With Jackson back under center, the team faces a critical three-game road stretch against the Dolphins, Vikings, and Browns that could determine whether they can climb back into the AFC North race.
Dolphins Present a Challenging Matchup. But really?
Miami enters Thursday night having shown defensive improvements, though analysts remain skeptical about whether those gains are sustainable. The Dolphins’ defense looked good last week against Atlanta, and Bijan Robinson is no run-of-the-mill running back. But Jackson’s return, combined with RB Derrick Henry’s one-man wrecking ball potential, is a lot for any defense, improving or not.
For a team fighting to salvage their season against all odds, Thursday night represents not just Jackson’s return, but potentially the turning point for both teams. No matter what goes down, it’s uplifting to see one of the game’s great stars back out there scrambling around, even if it is scrambling for his team’s playoff life. A place, Tom Brady knows all too well.
