Ravens' Lamar Jackson Plans Return Amid Team Struggles, Defends OC Todd Monken

Lamar Jackson is poised to return from a hamstring injury as the Baltimore Ravens face the Miami Dolphins, a crucial moment given the team's 2-5 record and playoff aspirations. Jackson has taken a leadership role by removing distractions like games from the locker room to ensure the team remains focused on football during this critical stretch. Despite internal speculation about tensions between Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Jackson publicly supports Monken, emphasizing that the team's slow start is a collective responsibility rather than the fault of any one individual. Monken's new schematic approach has been praised for utilizing Jackson's unique skill set, although some players have expressed confusion over unexpected play calls. The Ravens are relying heavily on Jackson to recapture his MVP form and lead a turnaround in a tightly contested AFC North division. Jackson's return is seen as pivotal for Baltimore to salvage their season and contend for a playoff spot.