The NFL will welcome back one of its biggest stars in Week 8 as Lamar Jackson is expected to return to the Baltimore Ravens after a 3-game absence due to injury. Unfortunately, there is somewhat of a ceiling being put on the excitement level for Ravens fans, as Jackson himself said he's still dealing with some pain.
Lamar Jackson said he still feels pain when he plants his foot.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 30, 2026
“But it’s bearable,” Jackson said.
The Ravens are traveling to Baltimore in Week 8 to take on the Buffalo Bills in what should be one of the most exciting matchups of a highly-anticipated slate of games.
Jackson's return is obviously great news for the Ravens, who have gone 1-2 over the past three games since losing Jackson, scoring just 13 points in each of their last two games (both losses). As exciting as it is for Jackson to be back, the last thing the Ravens want is for another injury and/or extended absence.
Lamar Jackson will be playing through "bearable" pain against the Bills in Week 8
Lamar Jackson: “I feel like I’m no longer a statue.”
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 30, 2026
Didn’t put a percentage on how he feels but said he feels better and sense of urgency is very high.
In his four starts this season, the Ravens are 3-1 with Jackson at the helm. To state the obvious, they are a completely different team with Jackson at the helm than when Tyler Huntley is out there.
And Jackson is right -- the urgency is very high for this week's game in Buffalo.
The Ravens' season isn't exactly hanging by a thread right now. We're only in Week 8, so there is a ton of football left to be played, but there is a real threat of the AFC North completely getting away from them if they don't start stringing some wins together.
All of the Steelers, Bengals, and Browns have just two losses this season. The Ravens only have three, but they are also facing off against a Buffalo team that has been one of the best in the NFL this season, and is coming off a bye. There are few "cupcakes" in the NFL, if any, but this is about as tough of an assignment as you can possibly draw when the urgency is this high.
As good as the Bills have been, their defense has been downright bad under first-year coordinator Jim Leonhard. The Buffalo defense ranks 30th in points allowed, 31st in yards allowed, 32nd in 1st downs allowed, and 31st in passing yards allowed. They are 26th in 3rd down defense and 24th in red zone defense.
Even going on the road, this might be a favorable matchup for the Ravens and Jackson, in particular. Jackson has a record of 42-19 on the road over the course of his career with 100 touchdown passes compared to just 22 interceptions.
This is a game where Jackson can win from the pocket and not have to do too much with his legs.
That's good news, because the idea of him playing through bearable pain -- and possibly aggravating his injury -- is a scary one.
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