Lamar Jackson Returns to Lead Ravens at Buffalo Bills
The Baltimore quarterback takes the field Sunday after missing three games with a high ankle sprain, facing a rested 5-1 Buffalo squad.
By Jonathan Hoffmann ·
Lamar Jackson starts Sunday for the Baltimore Ravens.
The quarterback returns to action in a matchup against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET. The Ravens are 4-3 and the Bills are 5-1. This contest marks the first game since Jackson suffered a high ankle sprain. He missed the previous three contests. The team listed him as a full participant in practice all week. He carried no injury designation on the final report. Coach Jesse Minter confirmed Friday that the team expects him to play.
The Ravens have struggled since Jackson stepped aside. With him starting the first four games, Baltimore went 3-1. Backup Tyler Huntley started the next three games. The team went 1-2 during that stretch. The loss at Cleveland ended 13-10. A home loss to Cincinnati followed with a 35-13 score. The Bengals erased a 13-0 lead in that game. Jackson completed 70.8% of his passes for 967 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception in his four starts. Huntley completed 69.8% for 727 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in four appearances.
Jackson described the ankle pain as bearable. He said he can move around better than before. He told reporters the previous week that the injury is improving. The team trusts the ankle enough to let him practice for a full week. His ability to run will be the primary metric to watch. His legs are a major component of the offensive threat. Jackson stated, “The sense of urgency is extremely high.”
Buffalo presents a difficult opponent for Jackson. He is 2-4 against Josh Allen and the Bills, including playoffs. That record is tied for his second-worst against any opponent. The most recent meeting was a 41-40 Buffalo win in the 2025 season opener. The Bills are currently resting. They hold the AFC East lead at 5-1. They are coming off a Week 7 bye. Their only loss was a 29-26 home defeat to New England in Week 4.
Weather conditions should not impact the game. The National Weather Service forecast for Orchard Park calls for mostly sunny skies. The temperature is expected to be near 67 degrees at kickoff. A light south wind will blow at 6 mph. The chance of rain is 2% through the afternoon. Fans should note that daylight saving time ended overnight. The 1 p.m. kickoff is on Eastern Standard Time.
The Ravens currently rank fourth in the AFC North. A win would move them back to two games over .500 with Jackson healthy. A loss would drop them to .500 midway through the season. The schedule offers little time for recovery. Baltimore hosts the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 8:15 p.m. The Los Angeles Chargers visit on Monday, Nov. 16, at 8:15 p.m. Both games are home contests. A quarterback nursing an ankle on a short week benefits from home-field advantage. The team will determine Jackson's status for the Thursday night game after the trip to Buffalo.
Viewers can watch the game on CBS. WJZ-TV Channel 13 carries the broadcast in the Baltimore market. Ian Eagle handles play-by-play duties. Ross Tucker serves as the analyst. Evan Washburn reports from the sideline. Streaming options include Paramount+ and NFL+ for local viewers. Radio coverage is available on WBAL 1090 AM and 98 Rock 97.9 FM. Kyle Youmans and Rod Woodson provide the call. Spanish language coverage airs on WLZL El Zol 107.9 FM with David Andrade and Allen Gutierrez. The radio stream is also accessible on the Ravens website and mobile app.
