OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter expressed optimism about quarterback Lamar Jackson's availability this week but was not definitive on whether the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player will start in Sunday's critical game at the Buffalo Bills.
Jackson has missed the past three games with a high ankle sprain, including Sunday's 35-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I think he was able to get in a little bit of work obviously towards the end of last week," Minter said Monday. "And so I think he'll be in a decent spot, but we'll know a lot more on Wednesday."
Jackson seemed to be trending toward playing last week when he was a limited participant in every practice. Then, a day after being listed as questionable, Jackson was ruled out by Baltimore.
Minter declined to confirm a report on the CBS game broadcast that Jackson woke up Saturday with increased swelling in his injured left ankle, which led to him being scratched.
"So look, if he's able to play -- that's healthy enough to play and play the way that obviously we feel like he needs to play -- then he will play," Minter said.
The Ravens (4-3) have struggled with fill-in starting quarterback Tyler "Snoop" Huntley, losing two straight games to fall to last place in the AFC North.
Without Jackson the past three weeks, the Ravens have averaged 17.7 points (24th in the NFL) and 328.3 yards (20th). Minter said he doesn't want to blame the offense's inconsistencies on Jackson not playing.
"Lamar's 1 of 1, right? Two-time MVP, obviously a high-caliber player, but I just don't like the built-in excuse of why things are going a certain way," Minter said. "So while we know the caliber of player Lamar is and the numbers when he's out there versus when he's not, we understand all that. That's why he's who he is and why he's won the awards that he's won, but we can still operate better in those times where we don't have him for sure."
