Lamar Jackson upgraded to full practice ahead of Titans

Wednesday started like a normal week. Lamar talked to reporters before practice, and the message was that the Ravens have to start winning at home.

Jeff Zrebiec

@jeffzrebiec

Lamar Jackson said there’s a lot of urgency to start winning at home.

Then practice started and Lamar wasn't out there. He had talked to the media and then he was gone for the early periods. Trey Hendrickson and Calais Campbell were missing too. When the franchise QB vanishes from the stretch lines, the entire NFL world starts hitting refresh.

ProFootballTalk

@ProFootballTalk

Lamar Jackson is not practicing Wednesday. t.co/rZoS65IN5x

It didn't last long. Lamar came off the field in uniform, so he clearly did some work, and head coach Jesse Minter called it "something small" and said Jackson took part on a limited basis. Then the official report came out with a back injury listed, and it was a long list. Lamar wasn't the only regular on it.

Jeff Zrebiec

@jeffzrebiec

DNP: Calais Campbell (NIR), Jovaughn Gwyn (ankle), Trey Hendrickson (finger), Ethan Pocic (knee) LIMITED: Jackson (back), Zay Flowers (hamstring), Marlon Humphrey (hamstring), Chris Moore (ankle), John Simpson (groin), Durham Smythe (heel), Ronnie Stanley (toe)

Jeff Zrebiec@jeffzrebiec

QB Lamar Jackson was listed as a limited participant at practice today because of a back injury.

Look at the offensive line on that report. Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic are both out, and Minter wouldn't say season-ending but did say they're out long term. Gwyn and Pocic are both centers, so rookie Vega Ioane slides over to make his first start at the position. Ronnie Stanley is limited with a toe and John Simpson with a groin. Lamar said himself that he and Ioane need extra snaps together this week, and if you're the QB with a bad back, the guy snapping you the ball is the one you want to be comfortable with.

On top of that, Derrick Henry gets his first shot at the Titans team that let him walk, and the Ravens have been bad in short yardage all season. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said sneaking has to be an option. Lamar sneaks when the offense needs it, so his back matters more than a typical Wednesday tag would.

By Thursday it looked a lot less scary. Lamar was out for the start of practice, and only Hendrickson, Gwyn and Pocic were missing. Then the report confirmed what the stretch lines suggested.

Mike Garafolo

@MikeGarafolo

#Ravens upgrade QB Lamar Jackson and WR Zay Flowers to full participants today. Both were limited yesterday. T Ronnie Stanley still limited.

So Lamar and Zay Flowers both go from limited to full, which is about as good as a back scare gets. Stanley is the one to keep an eye on. He's still limited, and with a rookie making his first start at center, losing the left tackle too would make it a rough Sunday up front. Friday's report and the game designations are next. Barring a setback, Lamar plays Tennessee.