BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson is back.
The Ravens quarterback returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a back injury in the second quarter of a Week 16 loss to New England. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player had been sidelined the past nine days and missed Saturday night’s must-win game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field after taking a knee to the back by Patriots safety Craig Woodson.
Though Jackson was wearing a flak jacket or some sort of padding around his lower back as he took to the practice field in Owings Mills, coach John Harbaugh said that the quarterback was a full participant in practice and “looked good.”
WATCH: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returns to practice today (back) and should be ready for Sunday's AFC North winner-take-all meeting at Pittsburgh.
Jackson will most likely not speak today, but tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/HcFQfhJoaR
— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) December 31, 2025
“I can’t speak for Lamar or anybody, but he looked good,” Harbaugh said when asked whether he expects Jackson to play Sunday night against the Steelers. “I’m optimistic. I’m very optimistic.”
Jackson’s arrival is certainly a good sign that he will be available for the regular-season finale in Pittsburgh, where the winner will capture the AFC North crown and the loser will be eliminated from playoff contention. The winner will also secure the No. 4 seed and host a wild-card playoff game.
In Jackson’s absence, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley helped guide Baltimore to a 41-24 romp over the Packers to keep the Ravens’ playoff hopes alive, completing 80% of his passes for 107 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers and rushing for 60 yards on eight carries. A day later, the Steelers still had a chance to eliminate Baltimore but lost to the Browns in Cleveland.
As well as Huntley operated the offense, though, there’s little question who will get the start if Jackson is healthy.
“It means everything,” wide receiver Zay Flowers said of Jackson’s return. “Starting quarterback, seeing him out there, it brings more life to the team.
“Just seeing him out there and what he can do on the field, how he can change games … just seeing him back out there, it bring excitement to everybody.”
Still, Jackson has endured the worst year of his career amid a string of injuries, including to his hamstring, knee, ankle and toe. In 12 games, his 63.7% completion rate and 192.6 yards passing per game are the third-lowest marks in his eight seasons. He has also passed for just 2,311 yards with 18 touchdowns after throwing a career-high 41 last season. His 28.3 rushing yards per game are easily the fewest of his career.
The Steelers have also been Jackson’s kryptonite for much of his career.
The Ravens are just 3-5 in his eight career starts against them and he has 11 touchdown passes along with 10 interceptions to go with one rushing score and three lost fumbles. Two of those victories came last season, however, with the Ravens winning in Baltimore in Week 16 to clinch a playoff berth, then again a few weeks later in a wild-card game at M&T Bank Stadium.
It has been a tough year for Jackson physically, though.
In addition to missing three games early in the season, he has also been knocked from two others and missed at least one day of practice each of the previous seven weeks. That has set off a national discourse, ranging from his health to questions over his level of commitment, particularly with contract negotiations ongoing and with Baltimore’s season hanging in the balance.
It’s something that teammates are acutely aware of and discuss among each other, safety Kyle Hamilton said, but the outside conversation isn’t something they necessarily agree with.
“It’s definitely discussed, just because he’s the face of the franchise,” Hamilton said. “I don’t think it’s ever a matter of does he want to. I think it’s just a matter of is he physically able to do so.
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton on Lamar Jackson: “He’s a warrior and I respect him.” pic.twitter.com/yx1NHlvdwX
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 31, 2025
“I been around this dude for the past four years. I know what he’s about and I know he practices what he preaches, and if he’s able to go out there and play and practice he will do so. He’s a warrior and I respect him. I respect who he is as a person and as a player. He’s a two-time MVP, face of the franchise, people are probably gonna talk a little bit. But it’s not with any negative connotation attached to it.”
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: If Lamar Jackson plays on Sunday, which appears set to happen, there is a lot to play for. And with a win, this Baltimore team could be as dangerous as any. pic.twitter.com/ZegNYnM5aM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 1, 2026
