Lamar Jackson has returned to practice, giving him a chance to play in Sunday's critical game against the Chicago Bears.
When Jackson jogged onto the practice field about 20 minutes after it started, it was like a weight was lifted from the 1-5 Ravens' shoulders.
Jackson and running back Derrick Henry had a big dap-up and other teammates were eager to follow suit. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken gave Jackson a full embrace.
The Ravens are hopeful to get their two-time MVP back after the bye to start what they hope will be a storybook run to the playoffs. The Ravens have a hole to dig out of, but with Jackson and others returning and a more favorable schedule over the second half, it's possible.
However, it all needs to start with a victory against the Bears, who will come to M&T Bank Stadium hot with four straight wins. Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson told reporters his team is preparing as if Jackson will play.
He still needs to progress over the course of the week, however. Jackson was a limited participant on Wednesday and Head Coach John Harbaugh declined to put a percent change on whether Jackson will play Sunday.
If Jackson cannot play, the Ravens will turn to either Cooper Rush again or Tyler Huntley. Harbaugh declined to state which one would start against the Bears.
In his two starts with Jackson sidelined, Rush has completed 25 of 39 passes for 251 yards. He's thrown four interceptions and zero touchdowns.
Huntley provided a late-game spark to the Ravens offense against the Los Angeles Rams and has filled in for Jackson against the Bears before. In 2021, Jackson was ill on the Ravens' trip to Chicago and Huntley stepped in for a 16-13 victory in which he completed 26 of 36 passes for 219 yards.
In other good news, left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), fullback Patrick Ricard (calf), linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) were all full practice participants on Wednesday, a good sign about their availability for Sunday.
Only two players were not on the practice field: cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who Harbaugh said was sick, and outside linebacker Tavius Robinson, who has a broken foot and has been placed on injured reserve.
Safety Kyle Hamilton, who spoke with media after practice, was limited due to his groin injury.
