Ian Rapoport says Lamar Jackson will play in Week 8 game

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Ian Rapoport says Lamar Jackson will play in Ravens' Week 8 game at Bills

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Oct 27, 2026 5:30 PM ET

A report from this past Sunday night indicated that the Baltimore Ravens truly did not know when quarterback Lamar Jackson would return to the lineup from the ankle injury he suffered in the Ravens' 24-18 win over the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 4.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network/ESPN, that's no longer the case.

Ravens fans should get their hopes up regarding Lamar Jackson return

During Tuesday's edition of ESPN's "Big Day with Peter Schrager" program, Rapoport revealed: "I expect, based on the people I've spoken with, that Lamar Jackson will play" for the 4-3 Ravens at a 5-1 Buffalo Bills team that will be rested coming off its bye this coming Sunday afternoon.

"He will be on the field this week against the Buffalo Bills," Rapoport confidently said about Jackson.

From @BigDayESPN: #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is expected to return to the field this week. That, plus a little more on his fun press conference. pic.twitter.com/AKQSjjAy5U
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 27, 2026

Backup Tyler Huntley has filled in for Jackson since the Titans game, and Huntley helped Baltimore earn a 30-23 overtime victory at the Atlanta Falcons back on Oct. 11. However, the Ravens then suffered a 13-10 defeat at the rival Cleveland Browns on Oct. 18 before Baltimore completed zero scoring drives in the second half of a blowout 35-13 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday.

Why this Lamar Jackson update may be different

While it appeared last Friday that Jackson would play against the Bengals, he was later downgraded to out on Saturday. It sounds like history won't repeat itself regarding his availability for Baltimore's matchup at Buffalo's Highmark Stadium.

"This was a two-to-three-week injury," Rapoport added about Jackson's setback. "He is through the third week. He is believed to be as close to 100 percent as he has been, and the Ravens do expect him to play. And based on the people I'm talking with, I expect him to play as well."

Rapoport also suggested that the Ravens wanted to be sure Jackson would be good for the Bills game and to go up against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 5. While nothing is official until this coming Sunday arrives, Jackson seems to be on track to play in both contests.

As of early Tuesday evening, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Ravens as 3.5-point road underdogs against the Bills.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

More must-reads: