The Baltimore Ravens could be without Lamar Jackson for the remainder of the 2026 NFL season after the two-time MVP suffered a right thumb injury during Sunday's matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

Jackson will undergo surgery and be placed on injured reserve, head coach Jesse Minter told reporters following the game, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Minter indicated that the injury could be season-ending, delivering a devastating setback for a Baltimore team already struggling with injuries and inconsistent performances.

The news comes after Jackson's return from a three-game absence lasted just one offensive play against Buffalo. The Ravens quarterback injured his throwing hand when it made contact with Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau during a pass attempt intended for Zay Flowers. Jackson immediately left the field and headed to the locker room, and Baltimore initially listed him as questionable before ruling him out for the rest of the game.

The situation worsened when backup Tyler Huntley suffered a toe injury, forcing Baltimore to turn to undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano. Huntley's availability remains uncertain, leaving Fagnano as the only healthy quarterback on the Ravens' roster as they prepare to host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night.

Lamar Jackson's injury creates major uncertainty for Ravens

Jackson entered Sunday's matchup hoping to spark a Baltimore offense that struggled during his absence. The Ravens went 1-2 in the three games he missed with an ankle injury, including consecutive losses to Cleveland and Cincinnati that dropped them to 4-3 entering Week 8.

The quarterback had returned to practice during the week and was cleared to start against Buffalo, giving the Ravens optimism that their offense could regain the explosiveness and versatility that Jackson provides. Instead, his afternoon ended almost immediately, and the subsequent diagnosis has created serious questions about his availability for the remainder of the season. Placement on injured reserve will require Jackson to miss at least four games, ruling him out of Baltimore's immediate plans regardless of whether he eventually receives clearance to return. Minter's acknowledgment that the injury could be season-ending raises the possibility that the Ravens will have to navigate the remainder of their schedule without their franchise quarterback.

Jackson's absence would fundamentally change Baltimore's offensive outlook. His ability to extend plays, threaten defenses with his legs and create explosive opportunities through the passing game has been central to the Ravens' success. Without him, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle must determine how to generate consistent production while relying on a backup quarterback or an inexperienced rookie.

Tyler Huntley's injury leaves Joe Fagnano as Ravens' only healthy quarterback

Baltimore's quarterback situation deteriorated further Sunday when Huntley suffered a toe injury after replacing Jackson. Huntley started the previous three games during Jackson's absence, giving the Ravens an experienced option familiar with the offense and capable of handling starting responsibilities.

With Huntley unavailable, Baltimore turned to Fagnano, an undrafted rookie from Connecticut who made his NFL regular-season debut against Buffalo. The rookie earned a place on the Ravens' roster after an impressive preseason in which he led the league with 509 passing yards across three exhibition games.

Fagnano entered Sunday's matchup with no regular-season experience, but Baltimore had to rely on him after losing its top two quarterbacks. His ability to remain healthy and handle the offense has suddenly become important for a team attempting to remain competitive in the AFC playoff race.

The Ravens now face a short turnaround before hosting Jacksonville on Thursday night, leaving little time for the coaching staff to evaluate Huntley's condition or prepare Fagnano for a potential first career start. Baltimore may also need to add another quarterback for depth, especially with Jackson headed to injured reserve and Huntley's timetable uncertain.

Ravens face difficult road without Lamar Jackson

The potential loss of Jackson for the remainder of the season represents a significant challenge for Minter during his first year as Baltimore's head coach. The Ravens entered 2026 expecting to compete for another AFC North championship, but injuries and inconsistent execution have left the team struggling to build momentum.

Baltimore has already dealt with injuries along its offensive line, including an MCL sprain suffered by first-round guard Vega Ioane. The Ravens also acquired center Cam Jurgens from Philadelphia earlier this season to stabilize the interior, but ongoing personnel changes have complicated the offense's ability to establish continuity.

Jackson's injury places additional importance on Derrick Henry and Baltimore's rushing attack, which could become the foundation of the offense while the quarterback situation remains unsettled. The Ravens will also need more consistent defensive production to avoid placing excessive pressure on Fagnano or another potential replacement.

The immediate priority is determining Huntley's availability and preparing for Thursday's matchup against Jacksonville. With Jackson facing surgery and a potentially season-ending absence, Baltimore must make significant adjustments at the most important position on the roster while attempting to keep its postseason aspirations alive.

For a franchise built around Jackson's unique abilities, this latest injury is one of the season's most consequential developments. The Ravens have overcome quarterback absences before, but losing their two-time MVP for the remainder of 2026 creates a challenge that extends well beyond their upcoming matchup against the Jaguars.