Ravens Coach Jesse Minter Says Lamar Jackson Starts Sunday Against Bills

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will start Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, coach Jesse Minter said Friday. It will be Jackson's first game since a high ankle sprain ended his day in Week 4.

The Ravens opened 4-1 and then lost their next two games. Those two losses dropped Baltimore from first place to last in the AFC North. Jackson missed both.

Jackson, 29, was hurt on the final play of the first half against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4. He has not played since. On Friday he said he still feels pain when he plants his foot but called the sensation "bearable." Before Friday, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports had reported that Jackson was expected to play this week.

In four games this season, Jackson completed 70.8% of his passes for six touchdowns and one interception. He has run for 144 yards and one touchdown and averaged 7.6 yards per carry. His career completion rate is about six points lower and his career yards per carry average is 1.5 lower than his current numbers.

Baltimore's offense went quiet last Sunday against Cincinnati. The Ravens led 13-0 at halftime with Tyler Huntley at quarterback. Cincinnati then outscored them 35-0 after the break. The 35 points Baltimore allowed in that second half tied a franchise record for points allowed in a half. It was the most the Ravens had given up in a second half since Week 6 of the 1997 season, a game Baltimore led 21-0 before losing 42-34.

Buffalo's defense has given up an average of 28.5 points per game through six games, the third-highest average in the NFL. The Bills have allowed at least 30 points in five of those six games. Kickoff is set for Sunday.