The Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive in a must-win Week 8 showdown against Chicago without their star quarterback as Lamar Jackson’s lingering hamstring injury sidelined him for a third consecutive game. Will fantasy football managers get their leader back for Thursday night’s primetime game against the Miami Dolphins?
Lamar Jackson Injury Update
What was initially a two-week absence has stretched far longer than expected for Jackson, whose recovery from a right hamstring strain created confusion across the league leading up to Week 8. When practice began last week, he was limited Wednesday and Thursday, marking steady progress toward game readiness.
Friday initially brought good news when Jackson was listed as a full participant, seeming to confirm he would make his return Sunday against the Bears. However, the situation took an unusual turn on Saturday as the team retroactively reclassified his Friday session as “limited,” clarifying that Jackson had participated but did not take starter reps. The adjustment prompted speculation that he might not yet be fully prepared for game action.
That speculation proved accurate. Late on Saturday, the Ravens ruled Jackson out once again, forcing Tyler Huntley into the starting role with the team’s season hanging in the balance.
Baltimore entered the contest at 1-6. No team in NFL history had ever recovered to make the postseason from that point. Yet “Snoop” rose to the occasion, leading the Ravens to a crucial 30-16 victory while every other AFC North team lost.
The Ravens’ decision to hold Jackson out one more week likely had less to do with a setback than practicality. Baltimore faces a quick turnaround with a Thursday night matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Asking Jackson to play two games in four days after missing three straight would have carried significant reinjury risk. Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, and rushing back too soon often leads to aggravation.
That prudence appears to be paying off. Both Ian Rapoport and John Harbaugh expressed optimism that Jackson would return for Thursday night’s game. Harbaugh told reporters Sunday he was “hopeful” their franchise quarterback would be ready, adding that the decision ultimately comes down to how his leg responds in early-week walkthroughs.
All reports point toward his clearance barring an unexpected setback in practice. The Ravens’ Week 9 betting line further supports that expectation, as Baltimore enters the game as a seven-point favorite over Miami, a spread that strongly implies Jackson’s return.
The NFL is still reviewing Baltimore’s handling of last week’s injury report following the Friday/Saturday designation confusion, but the team has stated the change was made in communication with the league office and did not misrepresent Jackson’s condition.
Jackson Fantasy Outlook
Jackson’s impending return couldn’t come at a better time for fantasy managers. Through four games before the injury, he totaled 869 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and just one interception while adding 147 rushing yards. His dual-threat ability remains one of the most valuable skill sets in fantasy football, and he slots back into lineups as a must-start immediately.
The matchup also favors fireworks. Miami’s defense ranks near the bottom of the league in both yards allowed and points surrendered per drive. Although the Dolphins are coming off an upset win over the Atlanta Falcons, they’ve surrendered at least 27 points in six of eight games this season, including four performances allowing more than 350 total yards.
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Jackson’s athleticism could be especially problematic for a defense that has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks. Expect Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken to lean heavily on designed runs and play-action movement to reestablish offensive rhythm early under the lights.
For fantasy managers, it’s simple: get Jackson back in lineups. Even if Baltimore limits his rushing attempts slightly to reduce risk, his red-zone involvement and passing upside make him a clear top-five quarterback play this week.
Expect Jackson to make a statement in his return, guiding the Ravens toward a crucial rebound while giving fantasy managers the spark they’ve been waiting for.
