Lamar Jackson Sends Urgent Message To Baltimore Ravens Teammates Amid 6-9 Week Injury Absence

Lamar Jackson targets return after 6-9 week absence© Instagram/ @new_era8

Lamar Jackson plans to play again in 2026, even though the Ravens may be out of the playoff race by then. According to ESPN, Jackson is expected to miss six to nine weeks and has told teammates to "just stay alive" until he returns. He reportedly fractured and dislocated his thumb in Week 8 against Buffalo, on his first pass attempt of the game. Baltimore is now 4-5, and the quarterback room is thin.

Lamar Jackson thumb injury: how it happened and what the timeline means

Jackson was making his first start since Week 4. His thumb hit the hand of Bills defender Greg Rousseau, who was trying to knock the pass down. Jackson left the game, and Tyler Huntley came in and got hurt too. The Ravens placed both players on injured reserve on Thursday. Huntley's turf toe is said to be season-ending.

The team gave little away about Jackson. When asked whether he would miss the rest of the year, coach Jesse Minter said only, "we'll see."

The timeline leaves little room for error. If Jackson needs closer to nine weeks, he would return in early January. By then, Baltimore could be well out of the playoff hunt. The loss to Buffalo dropped the Ravens to 4-4, and third-stringer Joe Fagnano struggled in a 33-10 loss to Jacksonville in Week 9.

Ravens quarterback plan: Jacoby Brissett and a tough schedule

Baltimore made a move before that game. The team acquired veteran Jacoby Brissett in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals. He was not ready to play Thursday, but he will likely start once he learns the offense. Whether he can keep the Ravens afloat until Jackson is back remains to be seen.

The schedule offers a small break. The Ravens' next four opponents are all under .500, so a strong run there could keep the season alive. After that, the road gets steep. Baltimore finishes with four straight AFC North games, all against teams with winning records.

The injury also lands in the middle of a bigger question about Jackson's future in Baltimore. His contract situation and his history of missed time have already drawn attention this season. Jackson himself appears focused on the nearer goal, getting his thumb healed and getting back on the field before the year ends.