Lamar Jackson Was A Full Participant Wednesday, And Derrick Henry Got The Good News

Folks, all month the Ravens' practice report has been the saddest reading in Oklahoma. On Wednesday afternoon, it said full. Lamar Jackson was a full participant for the first time since spraining his left ankle 24 days earlier, per Jamison Hensley, who called it "an encouraging sign".

Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports that Jackson, who has missed the last three games with a high ankle sprain, is "on track to being able to return this week and play Sunday" against Buffalo, and that he "handled all of the first-team QB work" on Wednesday. On GMFB, Ian Rapoport said Jackson "is poised to return to the field".

Coach Jesse Minter said Wednesday, per Hensley, "The more you’re able to do raises your optimism." Adam Schefter said, via @ESPNNFL, "I think the Ravens feel confident and optimistic [Lamar Jackson] will make it back for Sunday's big game in Buffalo against the Bills."

Some of the chatter since then has every Ravens problem fixed before anybody has played a snap. My case is smaller. The biggest fantasy winner of Wednesday's practice is Derrick Henry.

The Prosecution Calls Jamison Hensley

Your Honor, Hensley sorted Henry's numbers into two piles. Exhibit A: "In 14 quarters with Jackson, Derrick Henry has produced 340 yards rushing and has averaged 4.5 yards per carry." Exhibit B: "In 14 quarters without Jackson, Henry has totaled 239 yards rushing and has averaged 3.3 yards per carry." Fourteen quarters apiece, and 101 yards apart.

Exhibit B's latest quarters came last Sunday, when the Ravens lost 35-13 to the Bengals and were outscored 35-0 in the second half, per Hensley. Exhibit C is the running back himself. Hensley reports that Henry called Jackson "the heart and soul of the offense" and said, "I’m going to be excited when he’s back out there."

Why The Running Back Cashes The Check

Hensley described Jackson as a quarterback "who draws the attention of every defensive player". Every eye on the quarterback is an eye off the running back, and Henry turns that room into 4.5 yards a carry. When Jackson sat, the eyes came back to Henry, and the 3.3 came with them.

Nine months at a fireworks distributor taught me that nobody watches the ground when the big shell goes up. Jackson is the big shell. Henry is the ground game. I call it the big shell rule: the day the quarterback comes back, you buy his running back, before the box score catches up.

When the big shell goes up, nobody watches the ground. Buy the running back the day the quarterback comes back.

The Defense Gets A Fair Hearing

Now the evidence against me. This is one Wednesday practice on a high ankle sprain. The 4-3 Ravens play at the 5-1 Bills, per @ProFootballTalk, and Buffalo is coming off a bye, per Hensley. Four Ravens starters did not practice Wednesday, Hensley reported, including guard Vega Ioane. A running back needs his guards.

Asked how not having Jackson has affected his production, Henry said, per Hensley, "I don't really try to look at it as an excuse, not having Lamar [out on the field]. I just have to play better." He closed with, "But I know what I'm capable of." So do I. It looks like 4.5 yards a carry.

Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley said, per Hensley, that a Jackson return would be an emotional boost because he is "the best player in the NFL." Stanley also said the team can't put everything on Jackson, and Hensley reports that the Ravens feel they should have won the last two games without him.

Gordy's Rule Meets A Wednesday

On Oct. 14, Gordy told you to "start the practice report" and wrote, "If he is a full participant late in the week, he starts." For the first time since the sprain, the practice report says full. Gordy's rule and my lineup agree. Court reporter, read that back.

Gordy, I sold used trucks, so I know the hours on that door by heart. You are right. Wednesday comes early, and under your rule the Thursday and Friday reports still count. Your rule decides Jackson. Mine decides Henry, who starts for me either way.

Here is my call, Your Honor. Derrick Henry will rush for at least 80 yards against the Bills on Sunday. At his Exhibit A pace, 80 yards takes him fewer than four quarters. At his Exhibit B pace, it takes more than four. My number leans on Exhibit A and leaves room for a rested Buffalo defense.

What I Am Doing About It

1. I am starting Derrick Henry Sunday at Buffalo. This is the week the big shell rule was built for.
2. If Jackson's Thursday and Friday reports stay full, I start Jackson too. That is Gordy's rule, read at the right end of the week.
3. If Jackson has a setback and is ruled out, I lower my Henry expectations toward the 3.3. He still starts for me, and my 80 gets harder.
4. In trade talks, I would not sell Henry off the stretch without Jackson. Nobody lists a truck the week its engine comes back from the shop.
5. I revisit after Sunday. If the 4.5 comes back with Jackson, the rule holds. If it does not, I will say so here.