Lamar Jackson's Return to Practice Signals Start Against Bills

The Baltimore Ravens lost two consecutive games while their starting quarterback was sidelined, dropping their record to 4-3. On Wednesday, the team indicated that this streak is likely over as Lamar Jackson returned to full practice for the first time since injuring his ankle.

Jackson participated in every drill at the Ravens' facility in Owings Mills, Maryland. This marks his first full session since suffering a leg injury during the Oct. 4 home victory over Tennessee. He has missed the last three games. In Week 7, he practiced in a limited capacity, was listed as questionable, and was ultimately declared inactive for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson reported earlier in the week that Jackson would play against the Buffalo Bills. The team has not yet issued an official game status. Designations such as out, doubtful, or questionable will be released on Friday. A player with no designation is expected to play.

The Ravens have struggled in Jackson's absence. According to The Associated Press, Baltimore is 1-2 with backup quarterback Tyler Huntley starting. The most recent loss was a 35-13 defeat to Cincinnati, a game in which the Ravens held a 13-0 lead at halftime. The team has now lost two straight AFC North games.

Teammates expressed relief at the prospect of his return. Running back Derrick Henry described Jackson as the heart and soul of the team. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley offered a more cautious view, noting that the team does not want to rely on Jackson to carry the entire offense. Stanley said his return would be a big boost.

The injury report for the upcoming game includes other key players. Defensive end Chris Smith briefly left the Bengals game with a knee injury before returning. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, referred to as Ioane in the source report, reportedly sprained a knee and is expected to miss time. Three defensive regulars missed Wednesday practice. Rookie running back Adam Randall returned to practice, opening his 21-day window to be activated from injured reserve.

The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 1, in Orchard Park, N.Y. CBS will broadcast the match with Ian Eagle on play-by-play and Ross Tucker as analyst. In Baltimore, the game will air on WJZ-TV. The NFL requires teams to announce inactive players 90 minutes before kickoff, which is 11:30 a.m. ET for this game.

First-year coach Jesse Minter faces a difficult road assignment. The Ravens must address red zone issues and penalty problems that contributed to the loss in Cincinnati. The team also dealt with the departure of kicker Justin Tucker, who signed with Kansas City. If Jackson remains a full participant through Friday, the focus will shift to his sharpness after nearly a month away. If his status changes, Huntley will make a fourth straight start.