Lamar Jackson has been sidelined for nearly a month with a high ankle sprain. He returns in Week 8 in Buffalo. There are reasons to be hopeful, and reasons to be cautious. What can managers realistically expect from the preseason #2-ranked fantasy QB?
The Ravens' last two games against the Bills have ended in heartbreak: a two-point loss in the 2024 playoffs, then a one-point loss in Week 1 the following season, when Baltimore blew a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Jackson has posted 20+ fantasy points in four of his last 11 games. In his 20 games before that, he had 20+ points in 17. His recent shift may be partly due to injuries, partly to offensive line woes, and partly to steadily declining rushing numbers entering this season.
However,
before getting hurt this year, Jackson was playing some of the best football of his career, even if it didn't always show up in the box score. Most notably (at least to me), he posted a career-high 7.6 yards per carry and a 119.6 passer rating, tying his career high.
To meet lofty preseason expectations, Jackson needs to stay healthy and keep delivering through the air and on the ground. Approaching his 30th birthday, he is at higher risk than he used to be. This weekend's battle against the Bills will help inform whether those lofty expectations are achievable.
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This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Can fantasy managers still trust Lamar Jackson as an elite QB?
