{"id":644692,"date":"2026-01-01T04:15:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T04:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/644692\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T04:15:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T04:15:11","slug":"harbaugh-very-optimistic-jackson-will-play","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/644692\/","title":{"rendered":"Harbaugh ‘very optimistic’ Jackson will play"},"content":{"rendered":"

John Harbaugh on Lamar Jackson\u2019s status for Sunday\u2019s AFC North title game: \u201cI\u2019m very optimistic, and we\u2019ll see how it plays out the rest of the week.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/v2QAtSpT1z<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 31, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Ahead of their matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> in Week 18, Baltimore Ravens<\/a> head coach John Harbaugh provided an important update on star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who made his long-awaited return to practice<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Harbaugh told reporters that Jackson looked \u201cgood\u201d during practice and revealed that he\u2019s \u201cvery optimistic\u201d he\u2019ll suit up against the Steelers<\/a> this Sunday.<\/p>\n

In the Ravens\u2019 Week 17 victory over the Green Bay Packers<\/a>, Tyler \u201cSnoop\u201d Huntley took over starting duties in Jackson\u2019s absence and threw for 107 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for 60 yards.<\/p>\n

Jackson\u2019s health will play a huge part in the Week 18 matchup between the Ravens and Steelers, but Pittsburgh\u2019s odds of defeating Baltimore may very well come down to stopping running back Derrick Henry from taking over the game \u2014 which sounds easier said than done.<\/p>\n

For up-to-date\u00a0Steelers\u00a0coverage, including Pittsburgh’s Week 18 matchup against the\u00a0Baltimore Ravens<\/a>\u00a0on Sunday Night Football, follow us on X\u00a0@TheSteelersWire<\/a>\u00a0and give our\u00a0Facebook page<\/a>\u00a0a like.<\/p>\n