The Baltimore Ravens kept Lamar Jackson largely out of view during the open portion of Wednesday’s practice, yet the two-time MVP still factored into preparations for a pivotal Week 7 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Head coach Jesse Minter told reporters afterward that Jackson participated in limited fashion once the media was excluded from the team portion of the session.

“Lamar was able to get a little bit of limited work in,” Minter said, while underscoring that the quarterback “just has to be healthy enough to play.”

Jackson’s ankle injury, suffered just before halftime in the Ravens’ Week 4 victory over the Tennessee Titans, has once again thrust durability into the center of the conversation surrounding the franchise quarterback.

Over the previous two seasons, health issues have repeatedly interrupted his availability, including four missed games in 2025 that contributed to Baltimore’s first postseason absence since 2021.

In his absence this year, the Ravens have gone 1-1 with backup Tyler Huntley under center.

Huntley has performed adequately in the short term, but the drop-off in offensive production has been noticeable, particularly in last week’s 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns, when the unit generated almost no sustained momentum.

That defeat left the Ravens looking up at the Browns in the AFC North standings, an unexpected development that heightens the urgency surrounding Jackson’s return.

Minter has maintained a deliberately measured tone throughout the week.

On Monday he described Jackson’s status as day-to-day and indicated the team would have a clearer picture by Wednesday, adding that a return to practice was “potentially” on the table.

When asked whether the ankle had improved over the past two weeks, Minter offered a one-word response: “Yes.”

The limited work on Wednesday represents the most tangible sign of progress so far, yet it stops well short of confirming Jackson will take the field against Cincinnati.

Baltimore’s offense has lacked its usual explosiveness without him, and the coaching staff continues to emphasize that any return will be dictated strictly by medical clearance rather than the importance of the upcoming division game.

For now, the Ravens remain in a holding pattern, hoping the modest on-field activity marks the beginning of Jackson’s path back rather than another week of waiting.