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’s a bit of a ceiling being put on the excitement level for Ravens fans, as Jackson himself said he’s still struggling.
Lamar Jackson says he still feels pain when he plants his foot.
“But it’s tolerable,” Jackson said.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 30, 2026
The Ravens travel 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 good news for the Ravens, who have gone 1-2 in the past three games since Jackson’s absence, scoring just 13 points in each of their last two games (both losses). As exciting as Jackson’s return is, the last thing the Ravens want is for another injury and/or extended absence.
Lamar Jackson will play through “bearable” pain against the Bills in Week 8
Lamar Jackson: “I feel like I’m not a statue anymore.”
Didn’t put a percentage on how he felt but said he felt better and sense of urgency was very high.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 30, 2026
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 they were when Tyler Huntley was out.
And Jackson is right — the demand for this week’s game in Buffalo is very high.
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 play, but there is a real threat of the AFC North completely getting away from them if they don’t start stringing some wins together.
The Steelers, Bengals, and Browns all 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 about to get a bye. There are few “cupcakes” in the NFL, if any, but this is about as tough an assignment as you can draw when the need is this high.
As good as the Bills have been, their defense has been downright bad under first-year coordinator Jim Leonhard. Buffalo’s 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 could be a favorable matchup for the Ravens and Jackson, in particular. Jackson has a 42-19 record on the road throughout his career with 100 touchdown passes compared to just 22 interceptions.
This is a game where Jackson can win from the pocket and doesn’t have to do much with his legs.
That’s good news, because the idea of ​​him playing through bearable pain — and potentially making his injury worse — is terrifying.
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