Lamar Jackson's Status for Ravens vs. Steelers Discussed By John Harbaugh Amid Injury

It sounds like Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson could return from a back injury on Sunday to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the team's regular-season finale.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Wednesday that Jackson was a full participant in practice and the the team is "optimistic" he'll play in a winner-takes-all matchup on Sunday.

A win will allow the Ravens to clinch the AFC North and a trip to the playoffs, while a loss will end their season.

Jackson has struggled with injuries throughout the 2025 campaign, including a hamstring injury that kept him on the sideline for three games in October. The Ravens went 1-2 during that stretch.

The star quarterback then suffered his back injury on Dec. 21 during a Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots.

After sitting out of practice the following week, Jackson was ruled out of last Saturday's Week 17 matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

Harbaugh told reporters ahead of the game that Jackson's injury involved "deep-tissue contusions" around which his back muscles had locked up, per BaltimoreRavens.com's Ryan Mink.

"If he can go, he will go. You can bet on that," Harbaugh said about Jackson on Dec. 24. "This guy is one of the ultimate competitors that you're ever going to see. If he's able to go, he's going to go."

With Jackson unavailable to play the Packers, Derrick Henry stepped up by recording a career-high 36 carries for 216 yards and four rushing touchdowns to keep the Ravens' playoff hopes alive with a win.

If Jackson is unable to play against the Steelers, the Ravens will likely turn to backup Tyler Huntley while once more leaning on Henry and their run game.

Either way, the Ravens will hope to have Jackson in time for a potential playoff run should they ultimately win the AFC North despite an up-and-down 2025 season.