Ravens 'do think' Lamar Jackson will return from injury, start at Bills

Multiple reports since Wednesday indicated that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson would return from the ankle injury he suffered back on Oct. 4 to start for the 4-3 Ravens at the 5-1 Buffalo Bills this coming Sunday. 

While speaking with reporters on Friday afternoon, Ravens head coach Jesse Minter revealed that Jackson is on track to play at Buffalo's Highmark Stadium.

Lamar Jackson on track to play at Bills

"We do think we'll have Lamar this week," Minter confirmed. "I'm excited about that. He's had a really good week of practice. ...Excited about that opportunity for him to be back out." 

Backup Tyler Huntley helped the Ravens earn wins over the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 4 and at the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 11. Baltimore then suffered two straight losses, and the Ravens' offense was responsible for zero scoring drives in the second half of the team's 35-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 25. 

Could history repeat itself regarding potential Lamar Jackson return? 

On Oct. 23, Jackson suggested that he would make his in-game return against Cincinnati. However, the Ravens then ruled him out the following day. 

Per Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Banner, Jackson revealed that he was ruled out for the Bengals matchup after he woke up last Saturday with swelling in his injured ankle. On Friday, Jackson said he is "excited" to "be back on the field with my guys."

Jackson also acknowledged that the "sense of urgency is extremely high" with the Ravens coming off back-to-back defeats.

As shared by Jamison Hensley of ESPN, Jackson said that he feels he's "no longer a statue" compared to where he was last Saturday. While Jackson still feels discomfort when he plants his foot, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic noted that the two-time MVP insisted the pain is "bearable." 

"I’m out there playing football," Jackson remarked. "I can’t think about my movements in the pocket or anything. I’m out there trying to win." 

Shortly after Jackson finished speaking, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Ravens as three-point road underdogs against the Bills. History suggests that fantasy-football players who have Jackson on their rosters should double- and triple-check updates ahead of Sunday's action to be sure of his status, but it sounded as of Friday that he will start in Buffalo.