Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will undergo surgery on his right thumb and land on injured reserve, head coach Jesse Minter announced after the team’s 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The two-time MVP sustained the injury on his very first offensive snap when his throwing hand collided with Bills edge rusher Greg Rousseau during a pass attempt to wide receiver Zay Flowers. Minter stated that the injury will sideline Jackson for the mandatory minimum of four games, with the possibility of the absence extending for the remainder of the season.
The Opening Snap Collision Against Buffalo
The sequence that sidelined Baltimore’s offense unfolded immediately after kickoff. Returning to the lineup following a three-game absence due to a high ankle injury, Jackson dropped back to pass off play action in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. On his follow-through, his right hand struck Buffalo defender Greg Rousseau. Jackson walked off the field cradling his throwing hand and quickly headed to the locker room, as captured on the CBS broadcast. He returned to the sideline in the second quarter wearing a bandage, but the team ruled him out for the remainder of the contest shortly before halftime.
Conflicting Outlooks on a Potential Season-Ending Timeline
While the mandatory four-game absence on injured reserve is locked in by league rules, team leadership and national reports diverge slightly on the ultimate severity of the procedure. Head coach Jesse Minter told reporters after the game that the team would “see” whether the injury proves to be season-ending, utilizing the word “potentially” when describing the recovery timeline. Meanwhile, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported late Sunday that a full season-ending absence is more than probable for the double MVP quarterback, dealing a severe blow to a Baltimore roster mired in a three-game losing streak.
Quarterback Depth Tested by Multiple Injuries
Jackson’s trip to injured reserve compounds an already mounting crisis under center for the Ravens. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley entered the game following Jackson’s departure, but suffered a toe injury during the second quarter and was ruled out shortly after halftime. According to NFL Network reporter Cameron Wolfe, Huntley left the stadium wearing a protective boot on his injured foot. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, serving as Baltimore’s emergency third-string quarterback, finished out the game absorbing multiple hits from the Buffalo pass rush. Fagnano acknowledged post-game that he was not operating at 100% due to various minor bruises, though he expressed hope of being ready for the team’s upcoming Thursday night fixture.
Short Rest and Roster Scrambling Ahead of Jacksonville
The Ravens face a severe logistical crunch with less than a week to prepare for their next outing. Minter noted that the franchise essentially has a 24-hour window to sort out its active quarterback room before hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night. With Jackson out indefinitely, Huntley in a walking boot, and Fagnano managing physical ailments from Sunday’s relief appearance, the front office faces an extremely limited pool of available signal-callers at this late stage of the campaign. Roster adjustments may require scouring league practice squads or exploring trade options ahead of the upcoming deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Lamar Jackson suffer the thumb injury? Jackson sustained the injury on his very first offensive snap of Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, hitting edge rusher Greg Rousseau’s helmet or arm on his follow-through during a first-quarter pass attempt.
How many games will Lamar Jackson miss? Being placed on injured reserve guarantees a minimum absence of four games, though head coach Jesse Minter and national reports indicate the timeline could stretch to the end of the season depending on the surgical outcome.
Who played quarterback for Baltimore after Jackson left? Backup Tyler Huntley took over initially, but he also suffered a toe injury in the second quarter, paving the way for undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano to finish the game under center.
