Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco returned to practice Thursday for the first time since suffering his right hip injury Nov. 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Flacco threw several passes during the portion of practice that was open to the media and was officially listed as limited. Although he's not at full capacity yet, it's a positive step in his recovery and possible return to game action.
Head Coach John Harbaugh said Monday that Flacco was progressing in his recovery.
"There's a process involved, and it has to do with the doctors and trainers and his rehab, so he's progressing very well," Harbaugh said. "I can tell you that. He's doing well, and there will be another step today and tomorrow and the day after that, and we'll see where we're at."
Harbaugh has previously said that Flacco would, since he's missed so much time, need some practice to be able to play. How much practice he would need is uncertain.
Flacco has not spoken with the media since the day of the injury. Harbaugh has not named a starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, and he may not announce a starter. Whenever Flacco is healthy enough to play, Harbaugh will have to decide on a starter, but he has not ruled out using either quarterback in different scenarios.
Lamar Jackson has started the past two games, victories over the Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders. Flacco has only missed eight games during his 11-year career – six games in 2010 after suffering a season-ending knee injury, and the two games he has sat this season.
During a Wednesday conference call, Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn said his team was preparing as if either Jackson or Flacco could play.
"That's not that unusual heading in when we don't know," Quinn said. "So, as we go, we have no control over who plays or doesn't, so we'll be prepared to play whichever way that we have to go.
"I would say the styles are definitely different, and I'm not telling you guys anything you don't know. But, I would say that's the biggest thing, as opposed to the mobile quarterback that plays all the time. These two styles are different from the way that the offense has featured Joe in a lot of ways and how they've featured Lamar."
