Lamar shrugs off injuries, missed practices: 'Just resting my body'

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson says he was always going to suit up for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos even though he missed two practices with back and knee injuries.

"Just resting my body, you know. It's a long season, that's all," Jackson told reporters Friday, including ESPN's Jamison Hensley.

Jackson returned to practice Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday's sessions. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called the first absence a rest day, though the quarterback was later listed on the injury report with back and knee issues.

The reigning MVP has played every game this season and is an early front-runner to win the award again. He's thrown for 2,099 yards with 17 touchdowns to only two interceptions while contributing 501 yards and two scores on the ground.

The 27-year-old has led Baltimore to a 5-3 record, good for second in the AFC North. The franchise also acquired former Pro Bowl receiver Diontae Johnson in a trade this week, with Jackson calling his new weapon a "home-run hitter."

Jackson has played 24 of a possible 25 games over the last two campaigns. His only absence came in Week 18 last season when the Ravens, guaranteed to make the playoffs, opted to rest him.