After being knocked off its axis for nearly a week, the Ravens’ world returned to its normal position on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon in Owings Mills. On the sixth day of training camp, quarterback Lamar Jackson was back.

The two-time and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player was sprightly, vocal and even threw passes with zip in what was unsurprisingly and easily the team’s best performance of the week.

Jackson had been absent — save for an hour Wednesday — from four of the Ravens’ first five practices after a prolonged, undisclosed illness. His return, as imagined, was a welcome sight, on the field and around it.

“He had a lot of energy,” coach John Harbaugh said. “I know he worked really hard to get out here.

“Even as the practice went on, you could see himself finding himself more and more.”

It was evident from the start.

After jogging onto the field at 1:30 p.m., much to the delight of a crowd teeming with hundreds of screaming young children from more than 50 youth football teams, it didn’t take long to see the difference — in Jackson and everyone else around him. Especially compared with just three days earlier, when the quarterback made his lone appearance of the week, played only a few snaps and left the field with the team’s medical staff feeling enervated.

Before the Ravens even broke into team play Saturday, Jackson ran energetically downfield between individual drills and snagged a couple of passes, including one with one hand.

And not much longer into Saturday’s two-hour, 10-minute session, he connected on the first of several impressive throws, with tight end Isaiah Likely putting a double move on safety Kyle Hamilton and the quarterback hitting him in stride for a score.

Then he delivered his best dart of the day, perfectly leading wide receiver Tylan Wallace on a crossing route on what turned into a 50-yard touchdown. Jackson wasn’t perfect — receiver Rashod Bateman broke off a route when the quarterback threw deep, while cornerback Marlon Humphrey intercepted Jackson twice, including on an apparent miscommunication with veteran Nelson Agholor. But it was a marked improvement from his brief performance earlier in the week, as well as the rest of the offense’s while he was out sick.

“I don’t know if I could say anything other than that’s your starting quarterback, he’s the best quarterback in football, we believe, and we’re determined to prove it,” Harbaugh said. “He’s out there working with the guys and it makes a big difference.”

That was certainly the case, too, during a two-minute drill in which the offense had to drive most of the field with 1:20 left and one timeout while trailing by five points. Jackson hit Agholor for a touchdown.

“It does say a lot,” Harbaugh said of the drive. “It’s always been a strength of Lamar’s. I thought the whole offense executed well.”

It was a a major step up for Jackson, too.

The 27-year-old initially started to feel ill a week ago, the day before the start of training camp, and was sent home before the start of the first practice the following day. While Jackson, who was unavailable to the media Saturday, underwent medical tests to pinpoint the illness, 38-year-old backup Josh Johnson practiced with the first-team offense while rookies Devin Leary and Emory Jones worked behind him.

After Jackson struggled through a portion of practice Wednesday, Baltimore had a day off. The team hoped he would be able to return Friday, but it took an extra day before he was ready to go. Finally on Saturday, he looked like his old self.

All across and around the field, Jackson’s game and persona emanated, from the huddle to plays to his interactions.

“Lamar brings that leader role,” Likely said. “But that smile, it’s infectious, not only for the offense but for the team, knowing that your leader’s here, knowing he’s gonna give every play he got.”

He gave the defense, which had largely been having its way against the offensive line and pass catchers, plenty of fits, too.

“From a defensive perspective, it’s been a lot more challenging,” defensive tackle Michael Pierce said of Jackson’s return. “Josh and them have done a great job, but anytime you can bring your two-time MVP back in, things get a little more hectic.

“It gives everybody good energy. Glad to see he’s healthy, doing well. It makes our job as a defense a lot harder, but we enjoy it.”