Lamar Jackson is back.
Head Coach Jesse Minter announced Friday that Jackson will play against the Buffalo Bills Sunday afternoon after logging three full practices this week.
Jackson has missed the past three games with an ankle sprain, and the Ravens have gone 1-2 in his absence, including back-to-back losses to AFC North rivals.
Now, Jackson will step back in against the Buffalo Bills (5-1) and fellow MVP quarterback Josh Allen, giving the Ravens a jolt.
"I'm excited," Jackson said. "I'm always excited when I'm able to be back on the field with my guys. Put us in the win column, help us get another dub. That's what I'm ready to do."
Jackson said he is still experiencing some pain in his ankle but said it's "bearable."
"I feel like I'm no longer a statue," Jackson said. "I'm able to move around a little better, so I can give it a shot."
Asked if his ankle felt "night and day" better than a week ago, Jackson said, "It's better."
Jackson was playing at an MVP level before his injury and it remains to be seen whether he'll pick up where he left off. He said he will not try to play differently, thinking ahead to playing on short rest next week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"When we are out there playing football, I'm not thinking about trying to manage anything," Jackson said. "I'm trying to win, so we are going out there to play football."
The Ravens have intentionally ramped up practice this week to try to simulate game-like conditions as much as possible for Jackson, hoping to knock off any rust from being sidelined for three weeks.
"I think he'll look like Lamar Jackson," Minter said. "Again, I think he's just done such a good job dealing with the injury and doing things to help it get better and get better and get better. I think now he'll be in a position to be able to play Lamar Jackson football."
In other Ravens injury news, Minter said safety Jaylinn Hawkins (knee) won't play against the Bills and will miss a second straight game. Hawkins didn't practice this week.
The Ravens also ruled out rookie guard Vega Ioane (knee). Ioane tried to get back for the game and was a limited practice participant Thursday and Friday, but he wasn't deemed ready to play.
"Credit to him for just trying everything to be able to get back," Minter said.
The Ravens will turn to Emery Jones Jr. or Andrew Vorhees as their starting right guard.
Ravens cornerback T.J. Tampa and running back Adam Randall, who are both in their 21-day practice window coming off injured reserve, are both questionable to play. They both practiced fully Thursday and Friday.
They would need to be moved to the 53-man roster to play. The Ravens have one open roster spot.
