Lamar Jackson’s Ankle Injury and Week 8 Return Outlook

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is the focal point of the team’s preparation for its Week 8 road matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Jackson suffered a left-ankle injury in the second half of the Ravens’ Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans. The injury, described by team physicians as a high-ankle sprain, has kept him out of the past three contests, including a 35-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens will learn on Wednesday whether Jackson will be cleared to start against Buffalo on Sunday.

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Jackson’s absence prompted the Ravens to start backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, who has led the team to a 1-2 record in Jackson’s stead. The Ravens have slipped to last place in the AFC North with a 4-3 overall record. Offensive production without Jackson has dropped to 17.7 points per game (24th in the league) and 328.3 total yards per game (20th).

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• Ravens record: 4-3 overall; 0-2 in the division without Jackson.

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• Offensive output without Jackson: 17.7 points per game, 328.3 yards per game.

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• Bills record: 5-1, leading the AFC East and the league in scoring at 32.8 points per game.

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• Head-to-head history: In five regular-season meetings, Jackson has completed 67.3 % of his passes for 135.6 yards per game, with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

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Raven’s medical staff reported that swelling in the ankle has decreased and that Jackson is “heading in the right direction.”

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• “I expect, based on the people that I've spoken with, that Lamar Jackson will play this week. He will be on the field this week against the Buffalo Bills,” — Ian Rapoport

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Sources differ on the precise nature of the injury. Team physicians label it a “high-ankle sprain,” while NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport called it “not a typical” high-ankle sprain. Reports also vary on swelling: one account cited “increased swelling” that led to a Saturday scratch, while other statements emphasized that swelling has “gone down.” No definitive timeline for a full recovery has been provided, and the Ravens will file a formal status report on Wednesday.

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The Ravens need a win to climb out of the AFC North’s bottom and improve their playoff positioning. A Jackson return could restore the offense’s explosiveness, which has been muted in his absence. Conversely, the Bills, sitting at 5-1, view the game as a test of their own resilience after a bye week; a healthy Jackson would present a significant challenge to Buffalo’s defense, which ranks near the bottom in pass defense.

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The Ravens must submit a practice-participation report by the league’s deadline on Wednesday, after which they will confirm Jackson’s status for Sunday’s game. If cleared, Jackson is expected to start; otherwise, Tyler Huntley will continue as the starter for the Bills encounter.

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