BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson dropped back to pass and, with plenty of room to step up in the pocket, zipped a pass 20 yards through the air to Devontez Walker streaking across the middle of the Washington Commanders’ defense.

The third-year receiver caught it in stride and hit the gas, leaving a trail of defenders in his wake as he raced for what likely would have been a 60-yard touchdown. It offered a glimpse of the explosiveness the Baltimore Ravens’ offense hopes to deliver, with Jackson’s perfectly layered throw clearing a linebacker before dropping underneath a defensive back.

In a joint practice with Washington on Wednesday in Owings Mills, Md., it was the best play of the day for Baltimore’s offense. It also marked the last opportunity for Ravens starters to compete against another team, with the team’s top players again not suiting up for the preseason finale Friday night against the Commanders at M&T Bank Stadium.

It was the Ravens’ third such session in the past seven days after two practices with the Vikings in Minnesota last week.

The highlight-reel play aside, though, the offense was again uneven, which is unsurprising for a unit that has been behind its defense as training camp winds down.

It’s somewhat understandable with an entirely new system and Jackson performing better in games than in practice, but it continued a trend as the start of the regular season approaches.

Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said earlier this week that his unit did not operate at its cleanest in the first session with the Vikings but felt like there was some good “give and take” against blitz-happy defensive coordinator Brian Flores. A day later, things were worse, particularly in the red zone.

It was just one two-hour practice with the Commanders, but the offense was up and down against a defense that operates similarly to Minnesota’s and is led by coordinator Daronte Jones, a former Morgan State safety who previously served as the Vikings’ defensive pass game coordinator.

While Baltimore did have some success running the ball with Derrick Henry, the passing game was inconsistent. Some of that had to do with the offensive line.

For example, during one early 11-on-11 red zone period, the Commanders’ pass rush forced an overthrow on a pass from Jackson to rookie receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, with left tackle Ronnie Stanley ending up on the ground and nearly rolled up into Jackson. In another team period, Lane was flagged for holding after outside linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste blew up what looked like a quarterback sweep. Later, Jackson didn’t set his feet under duress and made a sloppy throw at the feet of running back Justice Hill.

In another red zone period and on fourth down, Jackson was intercepted by cornerback Mike Sainristil on a heave toward receiver LaJohntay Wester as the pass rush closed in. Right tackle Roger Rosengarten had to pick himself up off the ground.

It was no wonder offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford tore into the offensive line on the sideline at one point.

Minter, who spent most of his day with the defense, isn’t worried, though, and Jackson’s history in the regular season dictates there is probably good reason for that.

“He sees the vision and sees what it can be,” Minter said. “So now it’s just the daily process.”

That process did include some highlights.

In an early 7-on-7, wide receiver Rashod Bateman mostly had his way with Commanders cornerback Amik Robertson. Jackson also had a nice touchdown pass over the middle to Hill from a few yards out in a red zone period, and made another good one to Bateman between defenders in the next 11-on-11 period.

“I think we are continuing to grow as an offense and trust in the process, and that means focusing on the details, making the details the big things,” tight end Mark Andrews said. “I think today, just being able to operate at a high level, make our check, run route detail, blocking detail, communication – those are all the things that we are talking about, and I think it was good today.”

The next period, though, Jackson took a long time to work through his progressions, and by the time he got to an open Bateman on the sideline, he threw late and off target, the ball too far beyond the receiver’s outstretched hands.

Still, the practice was valuable for Jackson, who hasn’t played in a preseason game since 2021. He was also without his favorite target, Zay Flowers, who didn’t practice again and is working through a “minor” injury, according to Minter.

The last time Flowers did play was in the second joint practice with the Vikings, and he was seen at one point flexing his ankle.

Jackson said he is pleased with the chemistry he has developed with his pass catchers, though. That includes Lane, who had a difficult time separating from defenders but did have a nice extended grab in an 11-on-11 period as well as a leaping touchdown on an out-breaking route during seven-on-seven.

“It’s easy,” Jackson said when asked what it’s like throwing to Lane. “Big guy. … Can catch the ball with the best of them.” He then compared his hands with Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins.

Jackson, who had the fewest rushing attempts of his career last season in part because of injury, also showed he is still as elusive as he is fast on a few occasions.

Asked if he would run more this season, he just smiled: “Whatever it takes to win.”

He’s equally confident about where the offense is and what it will be. Said Jackson: “I feel like I am in a great place with the offense right now.”

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