### Lamar Jackson's Ankle Injury: A Critical Update Ahead of Week 14 Showdown Lamar Jackson, the star quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, has been dealing with an ankle injury that raised concerns about his availability for the crucial Week 14 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. After missing practice earlier in the week, Jackson returned to the field on Friday, leading to optimism about his participation in the game. The Ravens are currently in a tight race for the AFC North title, making Jackson's health a pivotal factor in their playoff aspirations. *Despite his injury history this season, Jackson's return to practice suggests he is on track to play, which is crucial for the Ravens as they aim to solidify their position in the division* [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/baltimore-ravens/news/lamar-jackson-playing-week-14-vs-steelers-final-status-ravens-star-qb/e297f3376868377fdcf5be9b]. ### Breakdown of Jackson's Injury Status and Game Implications 1. **Injury Timeline**: - Jackson missed practice on Thursday due to an ankle injury, which had limited his participation earlier in the week [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lamar-jackson-officially-a-non-participant-at-thursdays-practice]. - He returned to practice on Friday, indicating he was likely to play in the upcoming game [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lamar-jackson-returned-to-practice-on-friday-after-sitting-out-thursday-with-ankle-injury]. 2. **Game Context**: - The Ravens are competing for the AFC North lead, making this game against the Steelers critical for their playoff chances [https://www.sportworldnews.org/nfl/news/26808/lamar-jackson-cleared-for-playoff-game-as-ravens-host-steelers]. - Jackson's performance will be vital, especially after a disappointing outing against the Cincinnati Bengals where he had three turnovers [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/ravens_qb_lamar_jackson_misses_thursday_practice/s1_17049_43160094]. 3. **Coaching and Team Dynamics**: - The Ravens have shown resilience, bouncing back from a poor start to the season, and Jackson's leadership is crucial as they aim to maintain their momentum [https://www.freedom969.com/national-sports/ravens-qb-lamar-jackson-misses-thursday-practice]. - Tyler Huntley, who filled in for Jackson during previous absences, has proven capable, but the team is better positioned with Jackson at the helm [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lamar-jackson-officially-has-no-injury-designation]. ### Supporting Evidence of Jackson's Status and Team Performance - **Practice Participation**: - Jackson participated in practice on Wednesday for the first time since Week 10, which was a positive sign for his recovery [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lamar-jackson-participates-wednesday-practice-184856581.html]. - His full participation on Friday led to the removal of any injury designation, confirming his readiness for the game [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lamar-jackson-officially-has-no-injury-designation]. - **Team Performance Metrics**: - The Ravens have improved their record from 1-5 to 6-5, showcasing their ability to compete in a challenging division [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/ravens_qb_lamar_jackson_misses_thursday_practice/s1_17049_43160094]. - Jackson's ability to lead the team effectively is underscored by his previous performances, despite recent struggles [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lamar-jackson-returned-to-practice-on-friday-after-sitting-out-thursday-with-ankle-injury]. ### Conclusion: Jackson's Return is Crucial for Ravens' Playoff Hopes In summary, **Lamar Jackson's return to practice and subsequent clearance to play in Week 14 against the Steelers is a significant boost for the Baltimore Ravens**. His leadership and performance will be critical as the team seeks to secure a playoff spot in a tightly contested AFC North. The Ravens have shown resilience this season, and with Jackson back in the lineup, they are better positioned to capitalize on their recent momentum. 1. Jackson's ankle injury raised concerns but he has returned to practice. 2. The Ravens are in a crucial playoff race, making Jackson's health vital. 3. His performance will be key after a challenging game against the Bengals. 4. The team's recent turnaround highlights their potential with Jackson leading. For further details, please refer to the sources: [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/baltimore-ravens/news/lamar-jackson-playing-week-14-vs-steelers-final-status-ravens-star-qb/e297f3376868377fdcf5be9b], [https://www.sportworldnews.org/nfl/news/26808/lamar-jackson-cleared-for-playoff-game-as-ravens-host-steelers], [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lamar-jackson-officially-has-no-injury-designation].