Adam Schefter thinks Ravens’ Lamar Jackson returns for Bengals clash, but will he? appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Baltimore Ravens (4-2) were able to stay afloat during a month of no Lamar Jackson last season, but the offense cannot realistically endure another lengthy absence at quarterback. Only a half-game separates the last-place Cincinnati Bengals from the rest of the division, and the AFC as a whole still looks quite formidable. Even a competent backup like Tyler Huntley may not be enough to keep the team in the hunt this season. He did his job the last two weeks, going 1-1 and playing well against the Atlanta Falcons, but many fans are expecting No. 8 to lead the charge in Sunday’s AFC North tilt with Cincy.
Adam Schefter is of that mindset, too. He is making one thing clear, though. Jackson will determine his own availability.
“Ultimately, it comes back to how Lamar feels like he’s feeling and whether he can go,” the ESPN NFL insider told “The Pat McAfee Show.” “Do I think he’ll play this week? My guess would be yes, I think we’ll see Lamar. That’s my guess, but he ultimately is the one that’s going to determine how he feels on the practice field.”
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"My guess is that Lamar Jackson will play this week..
He will be the one who determines how he feels on the practice field" ~ @AdamSchefter#PMSLivepic.twitter.com/9nDkSXnoCl
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 19, 2026
The two-time MVP may not want to risk making his ankle sprain worse by coming back before he feels close to 100 percent, but Baltimore might not have that kind of time. A loss to the Bengals could have major implications in the division and playoff race. Upcoming meetings against the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars also loom large. While there is talent on this roster, the Ravens are not seemingly built to support Lamar Jackson.
They may need him to carry the bulk of the workload once again. Balancing health/big-picture aspirations with short-term competitiveness is a trying task that can stump the best decision-makers. It is presently unclear how much damage Baltimore can absorb before it enters the danger zone.
Fans do not want to learn the answer to that query. They just want to see the face of the franchise back in action. Based on what Schefter said, it appears Jackson will reach a conclusion later this week.
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