Join the huddle. Sign up here for Ravens updates in your inbox.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was limited in his long-awaited return to practice Wednesday, offering a glimmer of hope that his hamstring injury won’t sideline him for Sunday’s crucial game against the Chicago Bears.

Jackson initially did not show up for the portion of practice open to the media. But he came out after 20 minutes, hugged offensive coordinator Todd Monken, spoke with quarterbacks coach Tee Martin, and participated in team passing drills with backups Cooper Rush and Tyler Huntley.

Jackson hadn’t practiced since leaving the Ravens’ Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in late September. Their offense has struggled in his absence, scoring just one touchdown in its past two games, and the 1-5 Ravens have lost four straight overall.

Coach John Harbaugh said it was “hard to put a number” on Jackson’s chances of playing Sunday.

“I think it’s just part of the process right now,” he said. “I really don’t have any shareable injury intelligence for you guys at this point.”

The Ravens were without veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who was out with an illness, Harbaugh said. Safety Kyle Hamilton (groin) was their only other limited practice participant.

Harbaugh also announced Wednesday that the team has activated rookie offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr., who has yet to take the field because of offseason shoulder surgery. In a corresponding move, the team placed outside linebacker Tavius Robinson, who broke his foot in Week 6 against the Los Angeles Rams, on injured reserve.

The Ravens are 4-12 without Jackson since he became the full-time starter in 2018. Rush has struggled in his two starts, potentially opening the door for Huntley to be elevated from the practice squad to start Sunday if Jackson is unavailable.

Harbaugh said last week that Rush was still his second-string quarterback, “but I would also say that we’ve got two backup quarterbacks. I believe that. And we’re going to have to see how we want to [manage] the roster.” He declined to comment on the backup battle Wednesday, saying: “We don’t need to put the information out there, really.”

Even if Jackson is sidelined Sunday, his return to practice bodes well for his availability next Thursday against the Miami Dolphins. On short weeks, the Ravens typically have stripped-down practices during their two days of on-field workouts.

Harbaugh said the Ravens’ short turnaround isn’t a focus yet in Jackson’s rehabilitation. “I don’t think we’re thinking about it that way,” he said. “We’re focused and locked in on the Sunday game, and that’s it right now.”

With the NFL’s Nov. 4 trade deadline fast approaching, the Ravens need a win to stay in contention in the AFC North. Only one team in NFL history has started 1-6 and gone on to make the playoffs. No team that’s started 1-7 has ever advanced to the postseason.

This story has been updated.

Baltimore Banner editor Paul Mancano contributed to this post.