Lamar Jackson is officially playing Sunday against the Broncos

*** This story has been updated below ***

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is trending in the right direction to play on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

After missing practices on Wednesday and Thursday due to knee and back issues, Jackson was on the field and spotted by local reporters in Baltimore on Friday.

The reigning NFL MVP is back: Lamar Jackson just walked onto the practice field.

Jackson has missed the past two days with back and knee injuries.

On Friday, Jackson returned to practice, which is an encouraging sign for the Ravens heading into Sunday’s game vs Broncos.

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) November 1, 2024

Game statuses will come out later on Friday, but Jackson could be listed as questionable for the contest — or off the injury report entirely. For what it’s worth, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph always expected Jackson to suit up in this pivotal contest between 5-3 teams.

“I think Lamar’s going to play,” Joseph said on Thursday. “It’s midseason. Maybe he’s a little beat up. But he’s always answered the bell. He’s going to play.”

That’s the right philosophy from Joseph and clearly looks like what’s going to happen. The winner of this game will be the top wild card in the AFC and hold the tiebreaker moving forward in the playoff bracket.

Of course, the Ravens are hoping they can catch the Steelers to win the AFC North, while the Broncos have work to do to chase down the Chiefs in the AFC West.

It certainly was an interesting week for Jackson, after his head coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Wednesday the two-time MVP missed practice for rest. That wasn’t the case when the injury report came out, with the knee and back issues getting revealed.

On Thursday when Jackson wasn’t out there again, people started to really wonder. But his presence Friday means Jackson is trending in the right direction to play Sunday. And the Broncos figured that was the case all along.

(Update 11:28 a.m.) –

Jackson sounds like he’s definitely playing against the Broncos.

Lamar Jackson said he was just resting his body. There was never a doubt he was going to play Sunday.
“Just trying to get my body right, keep it fresh.” pic.twitter.com/0ofDB33m4M

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) November 1, 2024

(Update 2:31 p.m.) –

Jackson is off the injury report and will face Denver.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, who didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, officially is off the injury report and will start Sunday vs. the Broncos.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2024