Lamar Jackson returned to the practice field Wednesday as a full participant, raising confidence that he'll play in Sunday's AFC North title game in Pittsburgh.
Jackson missed last week of practice and Saturday's game in Green Bay due to a back contusion, but Head Coach John Harbaugh said he made significant progress through treatment – so much that he's on the field at the start of this week.
"He looked good," Harbaugh said. "I'm optimistic [that he'll play Sunday]. I'm very optimistic, and we'll see how it plays out the rest of the week."
With a wind chill of 18 degrees, Jackson jogged onto the field without sleeves but with what looked like some extra padding around his midsection.
Jackson hasn't had a full week of practice in eight weeks, since before the Ravens' Nov. 9 game in Minnesota. If Jackson's back holds up this week, it would appear he has a chance to break that streak before heading to Pittsburgh.
Wide receivers Rashod Bateman (illness) and DeAndre Hopkins (rest) and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (quad) did not participate.
Linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee), guard Andrew Vorhees (foot), fullback Patrick Ricard (ankle), tight end Charlie Kolar (nose), and defensive tackle Taven Bryan (knee) were all limited Wednesday.
Steelers' T.J. Watt Remains Limited in Practice
Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt was limited in practice Wednesday as he recovers from a punctured lung suffered earlier this month.
Watt was limited last week in practice, and CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson previously reported that Tomlin told her Watt will not play until he's had a week of practice as a full participant.
As for the rest of Pittsburgh, wide receiver Calvin Austin III (hamstring) was limited, as was linebacker Malik Harrison (knee), guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps), and cornerbacks Brandin Echols (groin) and James Pierre (calf).
