Lamar Jackson back for start of Ravens' practice week ahead of AFC North title game against Steelers
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned to practice as a full participant Wednesday ahead of Sunday night's AFC North title game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 8-8 Ravens and 9-7 Steelers will battle for the division crown under the lights of Acrisure Stadium.
Baltimore has confidence in backup Tyler Huntley, who helped the Ravens snap a four-game skid earlier this season and then kept their playoff hopes alive with a 41-24 road win over the Green Bay Packers last week. But they'd like to have their two-time NFL MVP playing with a trip to the playoffs on the line.
With Jackson's practice appearance Wednesday, there's a chance he has a full week of practice for the first time since Week 10. For reference, that was in the lead-up to a 27-19 road win versus the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 9.
Lamar Jackson officially making his first appearance at a Wednesday practice in a month. He has been on the injury report every game since Week 11. pic.twitter.com/hGC7lEY66a
- Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 31, 2025
Jackson has since rarely participated in the first practice of the week. In fact, he did so only once from Weeks 11-17, and that was in Week 14 before Baltimore's first matchup with Pittsburgh this season.
Jackson didn't practice at all last week. He was sidelined by a back contusion he suffered during the first half of a Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots. Head coach John Harbaugh described the injury as a deep-tissue contusion last week.
Normally the most potent dual-threat quarterback in the NFL, Jackson's mobility hasn't been as lethal of a weapon this season, during which he's juggled a collection of injuries.
First he missed three games with a hamstring injury. Jackson, whose 2022 and 2021 seasons were cut short by knee and ankle issues, respectively, was one of several Ravens players banged up early in the 2025 campaign, as Baltimore slumped to a 1-5 start.
After he returned in Week 9, he was sidelined and limited in practices with knee, ankle, toe and back injuries. But his absence against the Packers marked his first missed game since Week 8.
Harbaugh said Monday that Jackson's status for the regular-season finale was "to be determined," and he expected to know a lot more Wednesday.
"Our confidence in Tyler is a real big positive, a real plus," Harbaugh said at the time. "But it doesn't factor into whether Lamar plays. If Lamar's ready to go, he's playing. That's it. For sure."
Harbaugh said Wednesday that Jackson "looked good" in his return to practice.
The Ravens winning against the Packers and the Steelers losing against the Cleveland Browns last week set the stage for the Week 18 winner-take-all game in Pittsburgh.
Baltimore is just 3-5 in Jackson's eight career starts against the Steelers, although the Ravens beat their arch-rival twice last season, including in the wild-card round of the playoffs.