Ravens QB Lamar Jackson back from illness, will start vs. Bears

Lamar Jackson’s Soldier Field debut is back on.

After missing two days of practice because of an illness, Jackson returned to the Ravens on Friday and will start Sunday against the Bears.

“Way better than I was a couple days ago — I’m feeling great,” he said after practice. “I used to eat my Flintstones vitamins when I was a little kid, so my immune system should be good.”

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Jackson did not have the coronavirus. Jackson likened the illness to a severe cold.

Jackson is averaging 271.9 yards passing and 71 rushing and has 16 total touchdowns but is coming off one of his worst games. He threw for 238 yards and ran for just 39 on nine carries in the Ravens’ 22-10 loss to the Dolphins last week.

The Dolphins managed him well by relying on a cover-0 defense, which floods the pocket, plays wide receivers tight at the line and has no safety deep in coverage. That could be a template for the Bears, but Jackson was adamant that he would like another shot at it if they go that route.

“If we see it again, it’ll be different,” Jackson said. “If we see cover-0 again, we’ll have an answer. For sure.”

Bears stars hurting

Not only did the Bears lose star linebacker Khalil Mack for the season because of a foot injury, they’ll be without defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and possibly top wide receiver Allen Robinson against the Ravens.

They ruled out Hicks, who suffered an ankle injury last week against the Steelers. He had three tackles and a quarterback hit in just 35 snaps.

Robinson hurt his hamstring on his 39-yard catch in the final minutes and has not practiced since, leading the Bears to list him as doubtful.

On the plus side, safety Eddie Jackson appears likely to return after being out against the Steelers and missing most of the 49ers game with a hamstring injury. He was limited in practice the last two days and is questionable.

Trevathan done

Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan’s lost season is over after the Bears put him on injured reserve with a knee injury. Since he has been on IR already once this season — he started the year there with a knee problem — Trevathan won’t be able to return.

Trevathan never appeared on more than 39% of the Bears’ snaps in a game this season, working mainly as a backup to Alec Ogletree.

Trevathan going on IR makes room for outside linebacker Bruce Irvin, who joined the practice squad Friday and could play Sunday. Irvin has 52 sacks in 10 seasons but hasn’t played regularly since his one-year stint with the Panthers in 2019.

The Bears also signed fellow edge rusher Cassius Marsh to the active roster from the practice squad.