Lamar Jackson has missed each of the Baltimore Ravens’ past three games with a hamstring injury. His last appearance came in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he is reportedly close to returning.
He was able to log limited practices last week before ultimately being ruled out for their game against the Chicago Bears. His next opportunity to potentially get back onto the field will come in Week 9 when they take on the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football.
Lamar Jackson injury update ahead of Week 9
Jackson returned to being a full practice participant this week as he set his sights on a potential Week 9 return. He is dealing with a hamstring injury for the first time in his NFL career, and considering how often he uses his legs as a weapon within games, a full recovery will be crucial to his outlook.
The superstar quarterback is reportedly expected to play against the Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. This represents a pivotal point in the 2025 season for the Ravens, who have just a 2-5 record right now.
“Can’t wait to touch the grass with my guys. It’s been a while,” Jackson said at the press conference following his full practice participation on Tuesday.
Cooper Rush filled in for Jackson in the first two games he missed, but lost both to the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Rams. Tyler Huntley got the start for his third absence and came away with a crucial victory against the Chicago Bears last week.
Many around the league believed that Jackson would be ready for their game against the Bears, especially considering their bye week before. He was apparently not healthy enough to do so, but he appears likely to be available for TNF, despite the short practice week ahead.
The Ravens are desperate for another win this week as they look to get back into contention for the NFL Playoffs. They currently rank 12th in the AFC playoff picture, so they have plenty of work to return to the postseason. They are 2.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot, ahead of the season’s halfway point.
Jackson’s potential return obviously increases their chances of making the necessary run to get back in the mix. They are also two games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC North title. They still have two upcoming games against them later in the season, so despite their record, they are within striking distance. If they can get into the playoffs, they can be as dangerous again as they have been in recent years.
