Jackson returns to practice, will play Sunday vs. Bengals
Guard Phillips is likely out
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will start Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, coach John Harbaugh said Friday.
Jackson missed practice Wednesday with a sore knee and was out Thursday with an illness, Harbaugh said. But Jackson returned to practice Friday and told the team website that he was “100%.” Until this week, he had never missed consecutive days of regular-season practice in his NFL career.
“It was just kind of a strange timing on that whole deal, but that’s what happened,” Harbaugh said in a video conference call Friday. “So he’s good to go.”
Jackson, who has yet to miss a game because of injury since taking over as the Ravens’ starter in Week 11 of the 2018 season, did not wear a knee brace Friday and appeared to be in good spirits on the practice field. Harbaugh said Jackson, even while sidelined, was involved with the offense’s game plan this week.
“Of course, you always want the reps, but sometimes you can’t always get the reps,” Harbaugh said. “He’ll go play the game as best he can, and I’m very confident that he’ll play well.”
Starting right guard Tyre Phillips was listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game on the team’s injury report after missing every practice this week because of a shoulder injury.
Harbaugh said he didn’t expect the Ravens to be without any other players Sunday, but 12 players, including Jackson, are considered questionable: tight ends Mark Andrews (thigh) and Nick Boyle (thigh), wide receivers Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (knee) and Chris Moore (thigh/finger), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (shoulder/ hip), defensive tackles Justin Madubuike (knee) and Broderick Washington (illness), defensive end Derek Wolfe (elbow), cornerbacks Marcus Peters (thigh) and Jimmy Smith (knee) and defensive back-linebacker Anthony Levine Sr. (abdomen).
Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection who hurt his shoulder in training camp, will make his season debut Sunday. Starting running back Joe Mixon (shin) was listed as questionable, while starting cornerback Mackensie Alexander (hamstring) and reserve wide receiver John Ross (illness) are both doubtful.