Will Lamar Jackson Play vs. the Bengals? Adam Schefter’s Guess and What Minter Is Saying

Will Lamar Jackson play against the Bengals? ESPN’s Adam Schefter says he thinks so. On The Pat McAfee Show, Schefter said his guess is yes, but he stressed it comes down to how Jackson feels. Coach Jesse Minter was more careful on Monday, calling Jackson day-to-day and saying the Ravens will know a lot more on Wednesday.

The Ravens (4-2) host the Bengals (3-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Here’s how to read both voices, why the practice report matters most, and the contract facts that get mixed up in this story.

What Adam Schefter Said About Lamar Jackson

Schefter was careful. He didn’t say he knows, and he didn’t say the Ravens told him. He said the answer comes back to how Jackson feels and whether he can go.

“My guess would be yes,” Schefter said, according to Yahoo Sports. But he added that Jackson himself will determine it by how he feels on the practice field.

That’s a guess with a clear condition, and it’s worth reading that way.

What Jesse Minter Said

On Monday, Minter said Jackson has made progress. But he still called him “day-to-day” and said the team will know a lot more on Wednesday, when the Ravens return to practice. Asked if Jackson might practice Wednesday, Minter said “potentially.”

Jackson has missed two games since he sprained his left ankle on October 4.

Do the two voices conflict? Not really. Schefter offers a guess, and Minter is keeping things vague early in the week, which coaches do. But Minter’s tone is more cautious than a green light.

Why the Practice Report Matters More Than Any Tweet

Think about last week. On October 14, Schefter reported Jackson had a realistic chance to play the Browns. Jackson never practiced, and the Ravens ruled him out on Friday. That report wasn’t a lie. It was a good-faith read that didn’t pan out.

This section is our take. Believe the practice report. Wednesday’s report will list Jackson as a full participant, limited, or not participating, and each means something different:

• Full participant: Real hope. It’s the best sign.
• Limited: A warning sign, though not a death sentence.
• Did not participate: Another week without him is likely.

For the full injury picture, read our Ravens injury report.

Why This Game Matters So Much

The Ravens lost 13-10 at Cleveland, so they’re 0-1 in the AFC North. The Bengals are coming off a bye at 3-2, and only a half-game separates them from the rest of the division, according to Yahoo Sports. Another division loss would hurt.

Jackson has history here. He’s 11-2 as a starter against Cincinnati, and Bengals cornerback DJ Turner II said they’re preparing for Jackson to start.

The Ravens’ schedule also gets tougher. After the Bengals, Baltimore visits the Bills on November 1, then hosts the Jaguars on Thursday, November 5, on a short week. From Weeks 8 through 12, the Ravens face five straight teams that made last year’s playoffs. That’s the Baltimore Ravens schedule that makes this decision so important.

Then there’s the record without Jackson. The Ravens were 7-11 in the 18 games he had missed since 2019, and the loss in Cleveland makes it 7-12 by our count. Tyler Huntley has won big games, including the overtime win in Atlanta. But Jackson changes the offense. For more on what went wrong against the Browns, read our Ravens loss to the Browns analysis.

The Contract Facts: What’s Actually True

Some commentary has labeled 2026 a “contract year” for Jackson. That label is loose, so here are the facts.

• Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million contract in 2023. It runs through the 2027 season.
• In March, the Ravens restructured the deal. That lowered his 2026 cap number to $34.4 million and pushed an $84.34 million cap hit into 2027, plus void years that carry a $42.47 million charge in 2028 if no new deal is done.
• General manager Eric DeCosta said the Ravens ran out of time to complete an extension. Both sides are expected to talk again in the offseason.
• Jackson has said repeatedly he wants to stay in Baltimore. He represents himself and has no agent.

So he is not a free agent until the 2028 league year. Some outlets and NFL evaluators have called 2026 “like a contract year” because of extension pressure, but that’s different from an expiring deal.

This is our take. Tying a sprained ankle to contract talk is unfair and inaccurate. The questions this week should be about how his ankle feels, not what he wants from the front office.

Other Monday News

Minter said center Cam Jurgens could exit the concussion protocol as soon as Monday or Tuesday, and that there’s a real opportunity for him to play this week. Receiver Rashod Bateman is dealing with an issue. And Minter said the Ravens could bring in kickers to compete with Tyler Loop, who has struggled.

Our Prediction

This is our take, and it isn’t a guarantee.

We think Jackson practices Wednesday, looks better Thursday, and plays Sunday. If he’s limited all week, hold your breath, because that tells you a lot.

But here’s our hot take: if Jackson isn’t cleared on Wednesday, the Ravens shouldn’t rush him. The standings are tight, but a quarterback who returns before he’s ready can hurt himself and the offense. Movement is the core of his game, and a lower-body injury limits it.

What to Watch Before Sunday

• Wednesday’s practice report. Is Jackson full, limited, or out?
• Thursday and Friday updates. Does his participation grow?
• Jurgens’ protocol clearance. Does he practice and play?
• The kicker situation. Do the Ravens bring in competition for Loop?
• Bateman’s status. What is the issue?

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Lamar Jackson play vs. the Bengals?

It isn’t confirmed. Adam Schefter guessed yes, but Jesse Minter calls Jackson day-to-day and says the team will know more Wednesday.

What did Adam Schefter say about Lamar Jackson?

On The Pat McAfee Show, Schefter said his guess is that Jackson plays this week, but it comes down to how Jackson feels on the practice field.

What time do the Ravens play today?

The Ravens host the Bengals on Sunday, October 25, at 1 p.m. ET.

Is this Lamar Jackson’s contract year?

Not technically. His contract runs through 2027, and the Ravens restructured it in March. Extension talks are expected in the offseason.

Who do the Ravens play next after the Bengals?

The Ravens visit the Bills on November 1, then host the Jaguars on Thursday, November 5.

Final Thoughts

The best way to follow this story is simple. Treat Schefter’s guess as a guess, treat Minter’s words as careful, and treat Wednesday’s practice report as the real news. And keep the contract talk out of it.

What do you think? Do you trust the insider’s guess, or are you waiting for the practice report? Drop your answer in the comments, and check back after Wednesday’s practice for the latest Ravens news.