Lamar Jackson COVID-19 update: Ravens QB joins team at camp

Following a recent battle with COVID-19, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson competed in his first team practice of 2021 on Saturday, ESPN reported. The fourth-year player out of Louisville contracted the virus on July 27, causing him to miss the first 10 days of Ravens training camp.

Jackson returned over the weekend and completed 11-of-19 passes in limited work Saturday. Four of his incompletions were attributed to dropped passes.

A look at Lamar Jackson’s first full-team practice of training camp this year pic.twitter.com/G6uDYVLHot

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 7, 2021

“I thought he looked really good,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I thought he looked better than I expected him to. COVID is tough. He had symptoms. He had a lot of symptoms. It speaks to how well he took care of himself during that time. It was a good first step.”

This is the second time Jackson has caught COVID-19. He tested positive in November, causing him to miss a game against the Steelers. ESPN reported he showed no ill effects at practice, and his limited tag was precautionary only.

Jackson’s return comes at good time.

The 2019 MVP’s return comes at a good time for Baltimore. The Ravens have their preseason opener against the Saints scheduled for Aug. 14. Jackson led all quarterbacks with 1,005 rushing yards while adding seven touchdowns on the ground in 2020. He directed the Ravens to an 11-5 finish and loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round.

Jackson is did not speak to reporters after practice, but is scheduled to do so next week. Given his quarterback’s experience with the offense, Harbaugh said he doesn’t expect any setbacks as Jackson settles back in.

“I don’t think it’s going to be that hard for him,” Harbaugh said. “He’s already been through most of the offense. He’s played in games for a number of years. He’s been through this. [The offense is] on the beltway and we’re moving at about 75-plus [miles per hour]. He’s going to merge right in there.”

The Ravens begin the regular season Sept. 13 against the Las Vegas Raiders. That gives Jackson about five weeks to readjust himself to playing football, which is ample time. So long as he can stay healthy in season, there’s no reason this team can’t be a Super Bowl contender once more.

The Ravens have the fifth-best odds to win the championship according to Vegas. Their superstar quarterback is the No. 1 reason why.

Photo courtesy of Scott Taetsch/Getty Images.