Lamar Jackson 'Can't Wait' to Return from Hamstring Injury for Ravens vs. Dolphins

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is excited for his return from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Week 4.

"Can't wait to touch the grass with my guys, man. Been a while," Jackson said two days before the Ravens' Thursday night matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

The Ravens are heading into Thursday's game with a 2-5 record following a 30-16 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

"Talking about that in a team meeting. Each and ever game is gonna be like a win-or-go-home game," Jackson said Tuesday.

The Ravens started out the season 1-3 behind Jackson amid struggles from Baltimore's defense.

Following Jackson's injury, the Ravens went 0-2 starting Cooper Rush before handing the ball over to Tyler Huntley for Week 8.

Jackson returned to practice that week, although he participated in a limited capacity and was kept out of Sunday's matchup with the Bears.

The injured starter said he was "ecstatic on the sideline" watching Huntley lead the Ravens to their Week 8 win.

"Just to see my guy go out there and do what he do, I always knew he's capable of doing it... I had no doubt in my mind he was going to pull a win out," Jackson said.

The Ravens now get the chance to turn back to Jackson for the first time since the star quarterback was injured on Sept. 28.

Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters after Sunday's win over the Bears he felt "very confident" Jackson would be available to play against the Dolphins.

Harbaugh also said the Ravens had felt there was an "outside chance" Jackson would play last Sunday against the Bears, and that the short turnaround ahead of a Thursday night game had played a factor in deciding to keep the quarterback out.

The Dolphins (2-6) are coming off their most dominant performance of the season so far, during which the defense effectively stifled Kirk Cousins during a 34-10 road win over the Atlanta Falcons.

But Miami's defense hasn't been that effective throughout the entirety of the season. The unit currently ranks 23rd in the NFL with 344.4 yards allowed per game.

Dolphins pass rusher Bradley Chubb, who did not practice Monday due to shoulder and foot injuries, said Tuesday he expects to play this week. Jackson will still hope to take advantage of Miami's inconsistent pass rush if he is able to return.