Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list following a 10-day absence, but it’s still somewhat unclear as to when he can practice with the team. We hope it’s by tomorrow.
Jackson returned to the team facilities on Friday and is currently undergoing testing per the league’s protocol.
Jackson has already missed the previous 10 days of training camp, including all of Baltimore’s eight full-team practices. But that’s just the NFL rule for unvaccinated players who receive a positive COVID-19 test result.
Head coach John Harbaugh didn’t give an exact date for when Jackson will return to the field, but he sounded optimistic — or as optimistic as a coach can be when your MVP starting quarterback has been sidelined for the last week and a half.
“He’ll be back as soon as he can be,” Harbaugh told ESPN. “I’m excited for that. I’m looking forward to it.”
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson could practice tomorrow after being activated from the COVID-19 list.
This marked the second time in eight months that Jackson had tested positive for COVID-19, and his absence from training camp could have an affect on the Ravens offense to start the season.
Baltimore needed to work on their passing game, but they can’t very well do that without Jackson.
Running back Gus Edwards, who was placed on the COVID-19 list at the same time as Jackson, returned to practice on Friday and took part in team drills.
In slightly better news, outside linebacker Justin Houston, who signed a one-year deal with Baltimore on Monday, practiced for the first time with the Ravens on Friday. He only participated in individual drills, though, as Harbaugh continues to try to “work him back in.”
The Ravens face a long preseason ahead of them, what with Jackson’s COVID-19 absence and recent news of Jimmy Smith’s injury.
They have strong assets out wide and a solid defensive line that has exploited Jackson’s absence in camp, but without their main man, they look a bit…lost.
Jackson could be back with the team by tomorrow, so the Ravens should be able to find their way and start the season off right.