The Baltimore Ravens have been without their two-time MVP quarterback for two and a half games. Will Lamar Jackson return to play in Week 7?
Jackson gave reporters an injury update on Friday, Oct. 23 and said that he's not sure about his status for the game on Sunday, Oct. 25.
"Right now, I'm headed in the right direction," Jackson said. "I can't call it right now. ... We'll see, man. Hopefully."
The Ravens' starter returned to practice for the first time in two weeks on Wednesday, Oct. 21 and practiced all three days this week – albeit in a limited capacity. Prior to Oct. 21, Jackson had missed six straight practices since he suffered his ankle injury at the end of the first half of Baltimore's win over the Titans in Week 4.
Here's what we know heading into the weekend:
LAMAR JACKSON: Injury updates for Ravens QB
Is Lamar Jackson playing this week?
Jackson told reporters on Oct. 23 that he could be back for the Ravens' Week 7 meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 25. While he said he's trending in the right direction, he also said that he's still managing the pain from the injury.
"I feel like the swelling went down a lot, but just (dealing with) the pain tolerance. Just trying to move how I move. If I can't do that, I can't help my team," Jackson said.
The Ravens' quarterback also said that team trainers told him he's been dealing with a high ankle sprain. Jackson classified it as a "very, very, very, very, very painful" injury.
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said on Oct. 23 that the team is "still working through" whether Jackson will play. He said the two-time MVP got "some work in" during practice on Friday. Minter did not commit to whether Jackson would be ruled as questionable for the game.
"I think we'll figure that out here in the next couple hours," Minter said.
Ravens QB depth chart
Pending Jackson's Week 7 status, here's how the Ravens' depth chart looks ahead of the matchup with the Bengals:
- Lamar Jackson (ankle injury)
- Tyler "Snoop" Huntley
- Joe Fagnano
Huntley has filled in as the Ravens' starter in each of the last two games. He also spoke to reporters on Friday, Oct. 23 and said that he's not sure whether he'll find out he's starting again before Sunday.
"I just gotta be ready to play Sunday," Huntley said.
Fagnano signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in April. The rookie has not yet appeared in a game for Baltimore during the regular season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lamar Jackson injury update as Ravens QB returns to practice