Lamar Jackson Needs Thumb Surgery After One-Play Return—Ravens Say Season Could Be Over
Lamar Jackson’s long-awaited return lasted one offensive snap. Now the Baltimore Ravens are preparing for thumb surgery, injured reserve and the possibility that their two-time MVP quarterback will not play again this season.
Jackson dislocated his right thumb when his throwing hand struck Buffalo Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau’s arm during a pass attempt on Baltimore’s first offensive play Sunday. Ravens coach Jesse Minter confirmed after the game that Jackson needs surgery and will be placed on injured reserve.
One play after a three-game absence
The injury came in Jackson’s first game back after missing three contests with an ankle injury. On the opening snap, he dropped back to throw toward Zay Flowers but could not complete his follow-through after his right hand collided with Rousseau.
The Ravens initially listed Jackson as questionable, but ruled him out before the first quarter ended. He later returned to the sideline with his right hand immobilized while Baltimore fell 36–10 to Buffalo.
According to Reuters, the injury is a dislocated thumb on Jackson’s throwing hand. Minter said the quarterback will undergo surgery and go on injured reserve. When asked whether the injury might end Jackson’s season, the coach answered that it potentially could.
Baltimore’s quarterback depth collapsed too
Jackson’s departure was only the beginning of Baltimore’s quarterback trouble. Backup Tyler Huntley suffered a right toe injury in the second quarter, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano to make his NFL debut as the emergency option.
Fagnano completed 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards, threw an interception and lost a fumble. The Ravens finished with only 144 yards of total offense, according to Reuters, and managed one touchdown in a game Buffalo controlled after halftime.
Baltimore’s official game recap confirmed that both Jackson and Huntley left with injuries. Huntley’s timetable was not immediately known, leaving the club to evaluate its available quarterbacks before a short turnaround.
Why the timing is especially damaging
Baltimore is 4–4 after three consecutive losses and is scheduled to host Jacksonville on Thursday night. The compressed week gives the Ravens little time to determine whether Huntley can play, whether Fagnano will start or whether the team must add another quarterback.
Jackson’s return had been expected to restore an offense that declined sharply during his ankle-related absence. The Associated Press reported that Baltimore scored 63 fewer points across the three games Jackson missed than it did in the first three games with him, while also averaging three fewer yards per play.
The Ravens now face both an immediate lineup problem and a larger question about their season. Jackson is the center of Baltimore’s passing and rushing attack, and losing him for an extended period dramatically changes the team’s prospects in a crowded AFC playoff race.
What is confirmed—and what is not
Jackson’s surgery and injured-reserve placement are confirmed. The injury being on his throwing hand is also confirmed. What remains unknown is the surgery date, the expected recovery period and whether he will be medically cleared before Baltimore’s season ends.
Minter’s statement means a season-ending absence is possible, not certain. The Ravens have not announced that Jackson is out for the remainder of 2026, and no reliable recovery timetable had been released as of Monday morning.
Sources
- Reuters: Jackson needs thumb surgery and is headed to injured reserve
- Associated Press: Injury could end Jackson’s season
- Baltimore Ravens: Official Bills game recap
