OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Just when it looked like Lamar Jackson was going to miss another Ravens practice, the star quarterback appeared for the first time since injuring his hamstring 3 1/2 weeks ago.
Roughly 20 minutes into the media viewing portion of Wednesday’s workout, the two-time NFL MVP jogged onto the field to take limited reps behind fellow quarterbacks Tyler Huntley and Cooper Rush and chatted with position coach Tee Martin in his first practice participation since leaving in the second half of the Sept. 28 loss at Kansas City. Jackson didn’t take part in the first practice of the week Monday as the Ravens returned from their bye, but his possible return sparks optimism about their ability to rebound from a 1-5 start that matched the worst in franchise history through six games.
Head coach John Harbaugh was noncommittal about Jackson’s chances of playing against Chicago on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s hard to put a number on it. I think it’s just part of the process right now,” Harbaugh said. “I really don’t have any shareable injury intelligence for you guys at this point. I thought you guys would like that [description]. It’s the first time. It’s a new one.”
Mired in a four-game losing streak, the Ravens will host the Bears before playing three straight road games, which figures to be a critical stretch in their quest to climb back into the playoff race. Baltimore scored a total of just 13 points in two losses started by Rush — who was benched for Huntley in the fourth quarter of the Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams — earlier this month and is an ugly 4-12 in games Jackson has missed since the beginning of the 2019 season.
In four games this season, the 28-year-old Jackson has 10 touchdown passes and just one interception while completing 71.6% of his passes.
“It feels good having him out there. Obviously, his presence means a lot to this team before I got here,” wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said. “It’s going to mean lot for this team and organization as long as he’s on the field.”
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While Jackson’s return was easily the biggest headline of the day, four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey sat out Wednesday’s practice because of an illness. Outside linebacker Tavius Robinson (fractured foot) was also placed on injured reserve, which opened a 53-man roster spot for Baltimore to activate rookie offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. from the non-football injury list.
Inside linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring), and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) all practiced fully after sitting out multiple games, which bodes well for their chances of playing in Week 8. Ricard would be making his 2025 season debut after sustaining a calf injury in mid-August.
The Bears practiced without four starters Wednesday as running back D’Andre Swift (groin), wide receiver DJ Moore (groin), tight end Cole Kmet (back), and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (shoulder) all sat out. However, it’s worth noting that Swift and Moore were limited by their groin injuries last week before ultimately playing in last Sunday’s win over New Orleans.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: CB Marlon Humphrey (illness)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: S Kyle Hamilton (groin), QB Lamar Jackson (hamstring)
FULL PARTICIPATION: CB Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring), WR Zay Flowers (shoulder), FB Patrick Ricard (calf), ILB Roquan Smith (hamstring), OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle), WR Devontez Walker (oblique)
CHICAGO
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: RB Roschon Johnson (back), TE Cole Kmet (back), WR DJ Moore (groin), CB Tyrique Stevenson (shoulder), RB D’Andre Swift (groin)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: DT Grady Jarrett (knee), OT Braxton Jones (knee), K Cairo Santos (right thigh)
FULL PARTICIPATION: DL Austin Booker (knee), LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (knee)
