Will Lamar Jackson Play vs. the Bills? Full Practice Is the Best Sign Yet
Will Lamar Jackson play against the Bills? Wednesday’s practice report is the best sign yet that he will. Jackson was a full participant for the first time since he sprained his left ankle on October 4. He was on the field at the start of practice, and Jesse Minter had already said he’s in a “decent spot” to play Sunday.
There’s more news, too. Rookie running back Adam Randall returned to practice, and several defensive starters sat out. Here’s what it all means.
Lamar Jackson’s Full Practice: Why It Matters
Last week, Jackson was a limited participant all week, was listed as questionable, and was ruled out the day before the Bengals game. This week, he was full from the start.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley reported Jackson was on the field at the start of Wednesday’s practice. That’s a different signal than joining late. Jackson has now missed three and a half games, according to The Baltimore Sun, counting the second half of the Titans game, and the Ravens are 1-2 without him.
The reports lined up before Wednesday. CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson reported he will play, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported he’s likely to play. Derrick Henry called Jackson the “heart and soul of this team.”
Don’t treat it as official. Thursday’s and Friday’s reports still matter, and the Ravens’ messaging last week was messy. For more on that, read our Jesse Minter leadership article.
What a Healthy Jackson Changes
Jackson doesn’t just add yards. He changes how a defense has to prepare.
Through four games, he had a 119.6 passer rating, completed 70.8% of his passes, and threw for 967 yards on 96 attempts, about 10.1 yards per attempt. In the first three games of the season, the Ravens scored 41 at the Colts, 17 against the Saints, and 34 against the Cowboys.
Compare that to the offense without him. The Ravens were shut out in the second half against both Cleveland and Cincinnati. For more on that, read our Ravens loss to the Bengals analysis.
This section is our take. Even if Jackson plays at less than full strength, he forces defenses to spy him, which opens lanes for Henry and the receivers. That’s something Tyler Huntley can’t replicate, no matter how well he plays.
Adam Randall Returns From Injured Reserve
The other good news is at running back. The Ravens designated rookie Adam Randall to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, which opens a 21-day window to activate him. He was a full participant.
Randall is a fifth-round pick out of Clemson and a converted wide receiver. He’s 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds with a 4.5-second 40-yard dash. He was placed on injured reserve at the end of training camp, and the Ravens listed a neck injury.
Don’t get ahead of yourself. He isn’t Derrick Henry, and he still has to be activated. But a powerful runner with receiver skills could give the Ravens another weapon on short-yardage plays, screens, and mismatches. That matters because Henry has had a quieter year by his standards, and the Ravens ran for just 83 yards against Cincinnati.
The Injury List to Watch
Not everything was good. According to Russell Street Report’s copy of the Ravens’ Wednesday report, five players did not participate:
- Calais Campbell: Rest day.
- Kyle Hamilton (knee) and Roquan Smith (knee): Did not participate.
- Jaylinn Hawkins (knee): Did not participate.
- Vega Ioane (knee): Did not participate.
BaltimoreRavens.com’s story named Ioane, Hawkins, and Campbell, so check Hamilton’s and Smith’s status again on Thursday. If either star defender is limited, it matters, because the Ravens’ defense gave up 35 straight points to Cincinnati.
On the plus side, tight ends Mark Andrews and Matt Hibner were full participants, along with Trey Hendrickson. For the full list, read our Ravens injury report.
What About the Bills?
Buffalo’s report shows its own issues. Tackle Spencer Brown (back) did not participate. Eight players were limited, including linebacker Bradley Chubb, tight end Dalton Kincaid, receiver DJ Moore, and defensive lineman Ed Oliver, who returned after missing two games.
Josh Allen can win a shootout on any day. The Ravens need their defense to finish drives, and they need the offense to stay on the field.
The Time-of-Possession Question
Here’s a number worth checking. In the first half against Cincinnati, the Ravens held the ball for 22:20 to the Bengals’ 7:40. Then the game flipped.
But the full-game box score shows the Ravens had the ball for 35:00 to Cincinnati’s 25:00. That means the Bengals scored five touchdowns in about 17 minutes of second-half possession. Burrow went 16-of-18 for 249 yards and four touchdowns after halftime.
This section is our take. A tired defense is part of the story, but time of possession doesn’t fully explain the loss. The Bengals were efficient, and the Ravens couldn’t stop them quickly. That’s a different problem, and it’s one Jackson alone can’t fix.
Is the Bengals Loss a Turning Point?
Some fans argue the loss was a blessing, because it exposed every problem right before Jackson returned. That’s a fair idea, but only if the team learns from it. A loss helps if the lessons are applied on Sunday.
For the fans who are still angry about the second half, that’s reasonable. The standard has to change.
What’s Next on the Ravens Schedule
The Baltimore Ravens schedule stays tough. The Ravens visit the Bills on Sunday, November 1, at 1 p.m. ET, then host the Jaguars on Thursday, November 5. A strong week would turn the season around. Another loss would make it very hard.
Our Prediction
This is our take, and it isn’t a guarantee.
We think Jackson plays, and the offense looks much more like itself. We lean Ravens in a high-scoring game against Allen. But the defense still has to prove it can finish, and the injury list is a concern.
If Thursday’s and Friday’s reports hold, the answer to the main question gets simple.
What to Watch Before Sunday
- Thursday’s practice report. Is Jackson full again?
- Hamilton’s and Smith’s status. Do they return to practice?
- Ioane’s knee. Does the offensive line change again?
- Randall’s activation. Does the Ravens’ rookie running back join the active roster?
- The final designation. Friday’s report decides it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Lamar Jackson play vs. the Bills?
It looks likely but isn’t official. Jackson was a full participant Wednesday, Minter says he’s in a decent spot, and CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson reported he will play. Friday’s report will confirm.
Was Lamar Jackson a full participant in practice?
Yes. Jackson was a full participant Wednesday, his first full participation since spraining his ankle on October 4.
Who is Adam Randall?
A rookie running back from Clemson, a fifth-round pick and former wide receiver. He was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday.
What time do the Ravens play today?
The Ravens visit the Bills on Sunday, November 1, at 1 p.m. ET.
Who do the Ravens play next?
After the Bills, the Ravens host the Jaguars on Thursday, November 5.
Final Thoughts
Jackson’s full practice is the best news the Ravens have had in weeks, and Randall adds another piece. But the real test is whether the team fixes the second-half problem. A healthy quarterback helps, and it isn’t the whole answer.
What do you think? Does Jackson play, and do the Ravens beat Josh Allen and the Bills? Drop your take in the comments, and check back after Friday’s injury report for the latest Ravens news.
