Lamar Jackson return could prompt big second half from Ravens

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is coming back at the right time.

On Monday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh talked with reporters about Jackson's availability for this Thursday night at the start of Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins (2-6) and said the two-time league MVP is expected back.

"We'll expect him to be out there Thursday night," the 18-year NFL head coach said.

Jackson hasn't played since Sept. 28, missing Baltimore's last three games. In four starts, the 2024 MVP runner-up has a career-high 71.6% completion rate. He's also averaging a career-best 9.1 yards per attempt, throwing for 869 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception.

Lamar Jackson's return could prompt Baltimore Ravens second-half surge

The Ravens (2-5) had a brutal start to the season, losing five of their first six games while allowing an average of 32.3 points per game. The defense is coming off its two strongest performances, however, allowing 16.5 points per game in Weeks 6 and 8. Baltimore is coming off a 30-16 win against the Chicago Bears (4-3).

Jackson might be returning to a team just finding a groove. If so, Baltimore could be poised to quickly rise the AFC standings. The Ravens' upcoming schedule is softer than Egyptian cotton. Over their next five games, they play the Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals, teams that are a combined 11-28 (.282).

Baltimore is only two games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) in the AFC North and could easily catch its fiercest division rival before the teams meet for the first time this season on Dec. 7.

While little has gone right for the Ravens in 2025, their fortune could soon be turning.