Lamar Jackson to undergo thumb surgery and land on injured reserve

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will undergo surgery on his injured right throwing thumb and land on injured reserve, head coach Jesse Minter announced after a 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills, according to ESPN. The two-time MVP suffered the injury on the first offensive play of the game when his hand struck Bills outside linebacker Greg Rousseau while attempting a pass to Zay Flowers. Jackson missed the previous three games with a high left ankle sprain before returning for that single snap.

Thumb Injury Sidelines Lamar Jackson and Strains Baltimore Roster Depth

The immediate fallout leaves Baltimore without its starting quarterback for at least four games, with Minter leaving open the possibility that the injury could end Jackson’s season. The Ravens also lost backup quarterback Tyler Huntley to a toe injury, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano to finish Sunday’s game and face a short turnaround for a Thursday matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fagnano completed 10-of-21 passes for 91 yards and one interception in relief.

The loss of both signal-callers drops Baltimore’s record to 4-4 and revives deeper questions about the franchise’s long-term future. Former Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth discussed on his show how Jackson’s contract structure—which includes no-trade and no-franchise-tag clauses—gives the quarterback significant influence heading into future extension talks. Jackson remains under contract through the 2027 season, but the compounding injuries have created an unusual level of uncertainty around the organization’s trajectory.

Right Tackle Roger Rosengarten Takes Blame for the First-Snap Collision

Right tackle Roger Rosengarten expressed visible distress after the game regarding the play that ended Jackson’s afternoon. Rosengarten was blocking Rousseau when the defender’s hand collided with Jackson’s throwing hand on the opening pass attempt. I got to get more space away from Lamar, especially on the first one, so that one’s definitely eating at me … it all falls on my shoulders, Rosengarten said, according to ESPN. Jackson walked off the field immediately with a visibly misshapen thumb before heading down the tunnel to the locker room.

Ravens Face Historic Quarterback Depletion Ahead of Jaguars Game

Baltimore faces an uphill battle with a 7-14 record in games where Jackson has not started since 2019, averaging 17.6 points in those contests. ESPN noted that it has been nine years since an NFL team suffered this severe a run of injuries at the quarterback position this early in a game. With Huntley undergoing an MRI on Monday to determine the exact timeline for his turf toe recovery, the offense turns entirely to Fagnano on short rest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lamar Jackson’s Injury

How long will Lamar Jackson be sidelined?

Jackson is headed to injured reserve following thumb surgery, meaning he will miss a minimum of four games. Head coach Jesse Minter stated that the injury could potentially be season-ending, though a definitive timeline depends on the surgical outcome.

Who is expected to start at quarterback for the Ravens against the Jaguars?

Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano is positioned to start on Thursday night against Jacksonville. Backup Tyler Huntley is dealing with a turf toe injury that is expected to sideline him for multiple weeks.

What contractual clauses impact Lamar Jackson’s future with Baltimore?

Jackson’s current deal through the 2027 season includes specific no-trade and no-tag clauses. These provisions grant the quarterback significant control over his future contract decisions and extension talks with the franchise.