Lamar Jackson Expected To Be Out For Season After Right Thumb Injury

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson underwent surgery on his right thumb and was placed on injured reserve, following an injury he sustained during the Ravens 36-10 loss against the Buffalo Bills.

Ravens coach Jesse Minter was asked if Jackson’s injury was season-ending. Minter replied, “Potentially, but we’ll see where it’s at.”

After the loss, Minter declined to provide any details about Jackson’s injury and whether the thumb is dislocated or broken.

The Ravens have spent most of the season without the two-time MVP due to injuries. During their Week 4 win against the Tennessee Titans, Jackson suffered a high left ankle sprain, and in their recent Week 8 loss, a Bills linebacker struck his right hand while attempting to knock down the throw.

Jackson walked off the field and headed towards the locker room following the play. He was soon ruled out for the rest of the game.

“Obviously, it sucks the way this game is kind of cruel like that,” Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton said.

The Ravens are 7-14 since 2019 in games where Jackson has not started, averaging 17.6 points. This season, Baltimore has scored six touchdowns in 18 quarters without Jackson.

“It’s a very unforgiving game, and you can’t control the circumstances, but all you can do is control your response,” Ravens middle linebacker Roquan Smith said. “Obviously it sucks, but season’s not over.” 

Ravens right tackle Roger Rosengarten was distraught over Jackson’s injury because he was blocking Bills outside linebacker Greg Rousseau, whose hand hit Jackson to cause the right thumb injury.

“I got to get more space away from Lamar, especially on the first one,” Rosengarten said. “So that one’s definitely eating at me… it all falls on my shoulders.”

The injury doesn’t just affect the Ravens’ season; it could also end Jackson’s tenure with the team. Both parties did not reach an agreement on a contract extension over the offseason; Jackson is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2027 with an $84.34 million cap hit. The Ravens will need to reduce to build next season’s roster.

If both sides cannot reach an agreement before the upcoming offseason, the Ravens could trade him. Jackson has a no-trade and no-tag clause in his contract, which means he would have to approve any deal.