Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned to practice Friday and said he’ll start Sunday against the Denver Broncos after he missed practice Wednesday and Thursday with back and knee injuries.

“That wasn’t in doubt,” he said after practice. “Just resting my body. You know, it’s a long season. That’s all.”

Jackson played every snap in last Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns, throwing for 289 yards and running for 46. When he missed practice Wednesday, coach John Harbaugh called it a rest day. Jackson’s absence Thursday indicated he was dealing with real discomfort, though he was in the locker room after practice.

Harbaugh said such rest days might become more common for his franchise quarterback. The Ravens will have a quick turnaround from playing the Broncos (5-3) to hosting the Cincinnati Bengals in an important AFC North matchup Thursday night.

“That’s what he’s saying is right,” Harbaugh said of Jackson resting. “You’ve got to take that into consideration. You want your players to be at their best on Sunday.”

Neither Jackson nor Harbaugh expressed any concern that the quarterback’s two missed practices will impact the Ravens’ preparedness Sunday.

“He’ll be ready,” Harbaugh said. “I’m not worried about it. He studied all week. He was involved in all the preparations. He knows the game plan. He knows the opponent. He’ll be ready to go.”

The reigning NFL Most Valuable Player is on pace for his best passing season ever, leading the most efficient offense in the league as the Ravens prepare to face Denver’s No. 3 ranked defense.

Jackson expressed excitement over the team’s trade for wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who’s expected to make his Ravens debut against Denver.

“Great pickup,” he said. “That guy can get separation like our other guys. … I couldn’t stand him when he was in Pittsburgh. He gets great separation. Great route runner. He’s a home run hitter.”

Meanwhile, Jackson seemed more perturbed by the November wind swirling leaves around the interview podium than by questions about his physical state as the Ravens hit the midpoint of their season.

“It’s like a tornado out here,” he joked.

The only Ravens missing Friday were defensive end Brent Urban (concussion) and cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (knee). Defensive tackles Broderick Washington (knee) and Travis Jones (ankle) returned to practice. Urban was listed as out for the Broncos game on the team’s final injury report of the week, as was running back Rasheen Ali (ankle). Jones, Armour-Davis, running back Keaton Mitchell and cornerback Marlon Humphrey were listed as questionable. Humphrey missed the Browns game with a knee injury and was a limited participant in practice all week.

Cornerback Nate Wiggins (shoulder/illness), also sidelined in Cleveland, has no injury designation for Sunday after practicing fully Thursday and Friday. Washington and Jackson also have no injury designations for the Denver game.

Harbaugh added that safety Marcus Williams, who did not play against the Browns after starting the first seven games, will play against the Broncos.

Denver’s starting strong safety, P.J. Locke, won’t play Sunday because of a thumb injury. Fellow safety Delarrin Turner-Yell is also out. No other Broncos were listed with injury designations.

Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker.