Lamar Jackson’s first game back after a three-game absence lasted exactly one offensive snap. The two-time NFL MVP suffered a right thumb injury that will require surgery and will send him to injured reserve, Ravens head coach Jesse Minter announced after Baltimore’s 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, ESPN Deportes reported.
The injury came on the Ravens’ first play of the game. As Jackson released a pass, the hand of Bills outside linebacker Greg Rousseau struck Jackson’s right hand while Rousseau attempted to deflect the ball. Jackson immediately looked at his hand and headed to the bench, then went down the tunnel with his right hand wrapped and supported by a member of the medical staff. He returned to the sideline in the third quarter wearing what appeared to be a splint on his right hand.
Tyler Huntley Also Lost, Forcing an Emergency Third Quarterback
The quarterback crisis deepened in the second quarter. Backup Tyler Huntley, who completed 2 of 4 passes for zero yards, left with a right foot injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
With both Jackson and Huntley sidelined, Baltimore turned to its third-string quarterback, Joe Fagnano, an undrafted rookie from Connecticut. Sunday marked Fagnano’s regular-season debut after a standout preseason. He finished 10 of 21 passing for 91 yards with one interception.
It was the first time in nine years that an NFL team had three quarterbacks throw passes in the first half of a game. The last team to do so was the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, according to ESPN Deportes.
Why This Injury Hits Harder Than the Last One
Sunday’s setback lands on the heels of another injury just weeks earlier. On Oct. 4, Jackson left Baltimore’s 24-18 win over the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium with a left ankle injury suffered on the final offensive play before halftime, when Titans defensive end Jermaine Johnson II appeared to fall on the side of Jackson’s ankle while sacking him. Jackson, who had completed 15 of 20 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the first half — his fourth-best first-half passing yardage total of his career — stayed on the bench in uniform and left the field with 4:41 remaining, wearing a protective boot on his left ankle. A source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that Jackson was expected to be evaluated day to day, and ESPN.com.mx reported that Minter said after the game he was “dealing with something” in the ankle but did not know enough to project a return.
Jackson missed the three games that followed — the ankle sprain that kept him out — and Sunday was his first action since. The contrast in production is stark: ESPN Deportes noted that Baltimore had scored only five touchdowns in the 14 quarters played without Jackson during that stretch.
The Titans game also depleted the Ravens’ depth. Baltimore ruled out cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf), right guard Andrew Vorhees (foot) and tight end Durham Smythe (Achilles), according to ESPN.com.mx.
What Is Not Yet Known About Jackson’s Timeline
No timetable for Jackson’s return has been announced. Minter confirmed only that the thumb injury requires surgery and that Jackson will be placed on injured reserve. The specifics of the surgery, the expected recovery window and whether Jackson could return for a postseason run remain open questions the team has not answered.
How Jackson’s Thumb Injury Affects Ravens’ Playcalling
What exactly happened to Lamar Jackson’s hand? On the Ravens’ first offensive play against Buffalo, Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau’s hand struck Jackson’s right thumb as Jackson threw, and Minter said the injury requires surgery.
Who played quarterback for the Ravens after Jackson went out? Tyler Huntley came in but left in the second quarter with a right foot injury, so third-string Joe Fagnano, an undrafted rookie from Connecticut, made his regular-season debut and went 10 of 21 for 91 yards with an interception.
When did Lamar Jackson get hurt before this game? On Oct. 4 against the Titans, Jackson sprained his left ankle on the last offensive play before halftime, missed the next three games, and returned Sunday against Buffalo.
Has any team had three quarterbacks throw in a first half before? Yes — ESPN Deportes reported the last time it happened was the Dallas Cowboys in 2017, nine years before the Ravens did it Sunday.
Related reading
