Jefferson returns to practice

Ravens starting safety Tony Jefferson ended a streak of missing seven consecutive practices and participated on a limited basis Thursday afternoon, validating coach John Harbaugh’s assessment Wednesday that Jefferson was “close” to coming back.

“Much better, man,” Jefferson said of his health before the session. “Each and every day, getting better. It’s just a healing process. These injuries take a little while. So it’s all about timing.”

Jefferson has been absent from the Ravens’ past two games since suffering a sprained left ankle in the second quarter of a 34-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Nov. 25. Jefferson, who wore a walking boot after the game, said he is eager to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but noted that he has missed a considerable amount of time in practice.

“I personally love practice because for me,

practice is harder than the games,” he said. “But if it came down to it, obviously I want to play. When I’m not on the field, I’m in the film room so that I know what’s going on. And I’m in great shape.”

Jefferson, who still ranks second on the defense in tackles (60) and is the only player on the team with at least one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, has been replaced in the starting lineup by Chuck Clark.

Wednesday’s announcement from Harbaugh that a healthy Joe Flacco would back up rookie Lamar Jackson reverberated throughout the NFL.

Skura still developing:

However, it barely made a ripple with the teammate most responsible for getting the football to either quarterback.

Despite Jackson’s listed height of 6 feet 2 being four inches shorter than Flacco’s, center Matt Skura said he has not had to make any changes in his snaps to Jackson — shotgun or otherwise.

“I think really just getting practice reps have been the biggest thing,” he said. “Just making sure that if we have to take extra snaps before practice or after practice, we’re doing that. Just building that chemistry together is always good. At the same time, you’ve got to do it. You figure out a way to get it done, and that’s what we’ve been doing.”