After missing four of the first five training camp practices, Lamar Jackson returned for good on Saturday. Through two practices, he looks healthy and ready to go.
"I feel wonderful," Jackson said. "Good to be back. Back out with my guys, back with the coaching staff.
"I kind of just got a bug – you really never know when a bug [will] hit you. I got hit with a bug, and I'm good now."
Jackson briefly returned to practice last Wednesday but left after an hour. Even though the two-time MVP couldn't be out there playing, he was still in football mode.
"Just because I was down -- I was still locked in," Jackson said. "I know what time it is right now, it's camp time. So, with me going down for a couple of days, my mind was still in it like I got to hurry up and get better so I can be out there with my guys."
It's not the first time that Jackson has missed time over the past few seasons due to illness, but he's not sure why sicknesses keep coming up.
"I think that sometimes, because [when I was in college] in Louisville, I never got sick," Jackson said. "I never was sick. But it comes and goes."
Rashod Bateman Leaves Practice Early, Deonte Harty Sideline
Baltimore's wide receiver room was thin on Monday with Deonte Harty missing practice and Rashod Bateman leaving early.
Head Coach John Harbaugh doesn't seem too concerned that either injury is severe.
"I don't think it's a serious thing, it's just kind of a little soreness deal," Harbaugh said about Bateman. "They took him in to be safe.
"Same kind of thing [with Harty]. It's the little things they probably want to approach it with an abundance of caution."
Ronnie Stanley Is Already Feeling Better Than Last Season
Left tackle Ronnie Stanley has battled injuries over the last few seasons, but he said earlier in the offseason this is the healthiest he's felt in years.
On Monday, Stanley said he's focused on coming out of games feeling like he played to his potential, and so far during training camp he's done that.
"I feel like I'm already playing better than I was at any point last year – for sure," Stanley said.
Stanley is entering the last year of his contract, and he hasn't played at the All-Pro level he once did because of recent injuries. But as he enters his age 30 season, he said he's more motivated than ever.
"I think the last couple years have not been my best, and I haven't really been happy about it since a long time," Stanley said. "... I feel like I have a lot to prove to myself [to] just be the player I know I can be. And they say there's no testimony without a test, so I'm very fortunate to just have the opportunity to prove myself and to prove what I know I can do."
Jackson Jokes That He's Helping Marlon Humphrey Out
Marlon Humphrey has picked off Jackson four times so far in just two and a half practices, including another Monday when Jackson double pumped and tried to squeeze a pass in to Zay Flowers.
Humphrey has dropped some interceptions over his career, so Jackson joked that now is a good time to boost his confidence.
"I told Marlon he needs to get his hands right," Jackson said with a laugh. "That is why I'm throwing interceptions to him; he dropped a few last year, so I'm hoping that's helping him out."
