Lamar Jackson injury: Ravens QB cleared to start vs. Browns after missing practice with knee issue

Jackson has led the Ravens to back-to-back wins

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is officially off the injury report and will start in Sunday's Week 11 divisional clash with the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore fans breathed a sigh of relief Thursday when Jackson returned to practice after missing Wednesday's session with a knee injury. Jackson said he tweaked his knee in last week's win over the Minnesota Vikings and Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Wednesday that Jackson, despite missing practice, "should be OK."

Baltimore has received a jolt, offensively, since Jackson returned to the field. The former MVP came back into the lineup in Week 9 and helped the Ravens to consecutive wins over the Dolphins and Vikings. Those wins have Baltimore just one game back of the falling Steelers for the AFC North division lead, but as they prepared to face the Browns on Sunday in an effort to get back to .500 on the season, they initially did so without Jackson. 

Jackson missed three games with a hamstring injury suffered in a Week 4 loss to the Chiefs, but he looked good in his return to the field. On the season, he's completed 70.1% of his passes for 1,249 yards, 15 touchdowns and one interception. 

Jackson's return, coupled with the run game and defense returning to form, has Baltimore looking like a threat in the AFC again, but his health will likely be the determining factor in the overall success to the team. Jackson took some big hits in Sunday's win over Minnesota, and the Ravens will have to establish a balance between their need to keep Jackson healthy to achieve their long-term goals of winning a Super Bowl. 

Ultimately, Wednesday's practice absence appears to have been a matter of precaution for Jackson and the Ravens.