Ravens Insider: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice Friday ‘recovered’ from illness; former LB Josh Bynes retires

[ExtremeRavens]

Ravens fans can breathe sigh of relief.

After missing Thursday’s practice because of an illness, quarterback Lamar Jackson was back on the field Friday in Owings Mills. It was the first practice he missed all season, including training camp.

“He was feeling good — full of life,” coach John Harbaugh said Friday. “He looked good out there. He was back. He’s recovered.”

He’s also the last starting quarterback standing in the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow (wrist), Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson (shoulder) and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Kenny Pickett (ankle) all sidelined.

The Ravens (9-3), who had a bye last week, are largely healthy heading into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams (6-6) with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. the only player absent. Harbaugh said it was just a veteran rest day for the 31-year-old, whom he also said had a good week of practice before taking on his former team.

Jackson has missed 11 games over the past two seasons because of injuries, including the final six last year with a PCL sprain in his knee. He also missed the final four games of the 2021 season with a bone bruise in his ankle.

This season, Jackson has played every meaningful snap. He is also a candidate for his second career NFL Most Valuable Player award, having thrown for 2,618 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 574 yards and five scores.

The Ravens have three players questionable for Sunday’s game: linebackers Malik Harrison (groin) and Malik Hamm (ankle) and cornerback Damarion “Pepe” Williams (ankle). Harrison was limited in practice all week, and while Hamm and Williams were full participants, they have yet to be activated from injured reserve.

For the Rams, tight end Tyler Higbee (neck) is doubtful to play Sunday after not practicing this week. Outside linebackers Michael Hoecht (knee) and Byron Young (knee) and safety Quentin Lake (hamstring) are questionable after being limited Friday.

Bynes retires with Ravens

Former linebacker Josh Bynes, whose NFL career spanned from 2011 to 2022, officially retired as a Raven on Friday.

An undrafted free agent out of Auburn, he spent his first three seasons in Baltimore before stints with the Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals. He returned to the Ravens in 2019 and again in 2021 and 2022, making seven starts last season.

Bynes won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2012 and made the final tackle of a 34-31 win over San Francisco as the 49ers tried to return a free kick.

But his career almost never happened.

After being cut by the Ravens just before the start of the 2011 season, Bynes revealed Friday that he had just finished interviewing to be an academic counselor at an online university. Still in his suit and tie and walking into his parents’ home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, his phone rang. It was then-general manager Ozzie Newsome, who asked if Bynes wanted to be back with the team.

A dozen years later, Bynes finally hung up his cleats for good. He finishes his career with 582 tackles in 138 games.

“It’s kind of surreal it hits you kind of quick,” Bynes said, choking up. “I’m not an emotional person but … I really appreciate every single thing the league has done for me.

“Twelve years, it’s been a ride — ups and downs and all. I appreciate every last one because it taught me moments I can teach my boys.”

Bynes will be the Ravens’ Legend of the Game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

This story will be updated.

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