Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will undergo surgery on his right thumb and be placed on injured reserve, head coach Jesse Minter confirmed after the team's 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The injury occurred on Baltimore's first offensive play when Jackson's throwing hand struck a defender's arm. He immediately left the field and did not return.
Placement on injured reserve means Jackson will miss a minimum of four games. The earliest he could return is Week 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 13. Jackson has already missed three games this season due to injury; this absence will bring his total to at least seven.
The Ravens' upcoming schedule includes a Thursday night game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9, followed by the Los Angeles Chargers, at the Carolina Panthers, at the Houston Texans, a bye in Week 13, and then the Buccaneers. With Jackson sidelined, Baltimore's offense has struggled: in four games with Jackson, the Ravens averaged 29.8 points and went 3-1; in three games without him, they averaged 17.7 points and went 1-2.
Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley also left the Bills game with a toe injury, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano as the next option. Fagnano, a former UConn quarterback, completed 10 of 12 passes for 91 yards with an interception in roughly two and a half quarters against Buffalo. It remains unclear who will start against Jacksonville.
A thumb injury on the throwing hand is particularly problematic for a quarterback's grip, and recovery from surgery could keep Jackson out until late December. At 4-4, the Ravens must stay competitive during his absence to keep playoff hopes alive.
