OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) – Jamal Lewis had a helpless feeling last Sunday as he sat in front of his television and watched the Baltimore Ravens lose to the Philadelphia Eagles.

“It was real hard. I really wanted to play against those guys,” Lewis said Wednesday. “I got a chance to watch from the outside looking in, and it was pretty tough because you want to get in there.”

While Lewis was stuck at home completing a two-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, the Ravens fell to the unbeaten Eagles 15-10. The All-Pro running back has rejoined the team and will play Sunday night against Cleveland, a team he shredded for 500 yards rushing last year en route to becoming only the fifth player in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season.

Lewis doesn’t care who is on the opposite side of the line. He’s just ready to dole out some punishment with the football cradled under his arm.

“Oh, he’s coming. He watched the film this morning and he couldn’t stop shaking his leg,” right tackle Orlando Brown said. “I know he’s ready. He’s got to play catch up now. He’s ready, and he’s focused.”

He’s refreshed, too. After taking a pounding for five straight weeks, Lewis got an unexpected two-week break in the middle of the season. He worked with his personal trainer to stay in shape during his suspension and rid himself of the aches and pains that come with getting tackled up to 30 times a game.

“I had to serve my suspension, but it was for the better, too, so I could get some rest,” Lewis said. “I’m pretty fresh, and my legs are good.”

Lewis, 25, pleaded guilty in Atlanta on Oct. 7 to using a phone to set up a drug buy. He must serve prison time after the season but won’t miss any more football, and for that he is thankful.

“That’s the big thing, it’s done with and I can put it behind me now,” Lewis said. “I can move on with my job and do what I do best, which is come out here and play football and be with my team.”

The Ravens (4-3) went 1-1 without him, beating Buffalo 20-6 before stumbling in Philadelphia. Backups Chester Taylor and Musa Smith combined for 103 yards rushing against the Eagles, but Lewis still wonders how Baltimore would have fared with him in the starting lineup.

“The Bills game was all right because we won,” Lewis said, “but the game we lost, you feel like we could have done something different.”

There really is no way of knowing if the Ravens would have won with Lewis in the backfield. But his return can only help an attack bogged down by a passing game ranked last in the NFL.

“He’s the starter for a reason,” Baltimore center Casey Rabach said. “The offense is probably clicking the best when he’s in there.”