Lamar Jackson Back at Full Practice, Kerby Joseph Returns as NFL Week 8 Injury Reports Take Shape

Two of the NFL's notable names showed signs of recovery on Wednesday as teams released their first injury reports of Week 8. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was a full practice participant for the first time since he hurt his ankle and missed the team's last three games. Detroit Lions All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph also returned to the practice field, though only in a limited capacity.

Joseph missed the final 11 games of the 2025 season with what the Detroit Free Press described as a degenerative condition in his knee. The Lions opened his 21-day practice window on Wednesday, and it was his first practice of this season.

The league's Thursday night game features the Carolina Panthers visiting the Green Bay Packers, who are 4.5-point favorites according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Carolina has ruled out linebacker Jaelan Phillips, guard Torricelli Simpkins III, cornerback Akayleb Evans and guard Damien Lewis, none of whom practiced in any capacity this week. Defensive tackle Bobby Brown III is questionable.

Green Bay is just as banged up. Linebacker Zaire Franklin will miss a second straight game after taking a knee to the shin in practice last week. Center Sean Rhyan and lineman Travis Glover are also out, which means a reshuffled offensive line. Third-string center John Williams is set to start after Rhyan and Jacob Monk, who is now on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury, were hurt in Detroit on Sunday. The situation could open the door for Kevin Zeitler, signed entering Week 4, to make his Packers debut. Receiver Matthew Golden, who ranks 10th in the league with 512 receiving yards, is questionable. He sat out Monday and Tuesday but took part in Wednesday's walkthrough on a limited basis.

Elsewhere, the Ravens listed defensive lineman Calais Campbell, safeties Kyle Hamilton and Jaylinn Hawkins, guard Olaivavega Ioane and linebacker Roquan Smith among those who did not practice ahead of a game at Buffalo, where the Bills are three-point favorites. For Buffalo, offensive tackle Spencer Brown was the only player held out entirely.

Detroit had a long list of non-participants ahead of its home game against Minnesota. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and edge rusher DJ Wonnum were out, while Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill and Penei Sewell had rest days. The Vikings have only three players on their report: running back Aaron Jones and guard Joe Huber did not practice, and tackle Brian O'Neill was limited.

The Philadelphia Eagles were among the hardest hit. Six players sat out Wednesday, including running back Saquon Barkley and receiver Devonta Smith. Washington had three non-participants, among them receiver Stefon Diggs, and defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton is in his 21-day window as he tries to come back from injured reserve.

Several other key players were on the field. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Denver cornerback Pat Surtain II both practiced fully, as did Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Pittsburgh held out six players, including cornerback Jalen Ramsey, T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward, the latter two for veteran rest days. Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase did not practice, with his absence listed as a veteran rest day and an ankle issue. The Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks play Monday, and analysis of that game was still to come.