For the first time in nearly a month, Lamar Jackson was back on the practice field Wednesday - and for Ravens fans, that’s a welcome sight.
Jackson, who’s been navigating a string of lower-body injuries - a knee in Week 11, an ankle in Week 12, and most recently a toe in Week 13 - returned to practice as a limited participant. Officially, he’s still listed with an ankle injury, but after a rough outing in the Thursday night loss to Cincinnati, where his accuracy wavered despite flashes of regained mobility, his presence at practice is a positive sign heading into a pivotal Week 14 matchup.
“It’s always good to get a couple days’ rest, probably for everybody,” head coach John Harbaugh said after practice. “It’s good to have [Jackson] out there doing what he did today. It’s a plus.”
The Ravens had full attendance at practice as they began preparations for a critical AFC North showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the division race heating up, every rep and recovery matters - and Baltimore is getting healthier at the right time.
Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins, who exited the Bengals game with a foot injury, was also back on the field in a limited capacity. Harbaugh had previously labeled him day-to-day, and his return to practice, even in a limited role, is encouraging for a secondary that’s been tested throughout the season.
Two more names made their way back into the mix: outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and safety Ar’Darius Washington. Robinson, who fractured his foot in Week 6, has been designated to return from injured reserve.
Washington, who tore his Achilles in the offseason, came back from the reserve/PUP list. Both were limited participants on Wednesday.
Now, Robinson isn’t expected to suit up this Sunday, according to Harbaugh. But Washington?
He’s at least in the conversation. Harbaugh wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s likely, but he did call it a “possibility” that Washington could be active against Pittsburgh - or potentially in Week 15 against Cincinnati.
Either way, Washington’s recovery timeline has been nothing short of impressive. Coming back from an Achilles tear in May and possibly returning to live action by December is rare territory.
If Washington does return, his role might look a little different this time around. Last season, he helped solidify the back end of the defense alongside Kyle Hamilton, but with Alohi Gilman and rookie Malaki Starks holding things down at safety, Harbaugh hinted that Washington could slide into more of a hybrid role - closer to the line of scrimmage, possibly in the slot, where he played earlier in his career.
“He gives you versatility,” Harbaugh said. “That’s probably why you’d really be interested in doing it.”
With the Steelers looming and the AFC North still very much up for grabs, the Ravens are getting key pieces back at just the right moment. Jackson’s return is the headline, but the reinforcements on defense could prove just as vital down the stretch.