Lamar Jackson’s return lasted one play. The Ravens quarterback injured his right thumb on Baltimore’s first offensive snap Sunday in Buffalo, and head coach Jesse Minter said after the 36-10 loss that Jackson will need surgery and will be placed on injured reserve.
Jackson’s throwing hand struck Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau as he released a pass on the opening play. He went to the locker room and was ruled out for the rest of the game in the first quarter.
Asked whether the injury could end Jackson’s season, Minter said “potentially,” according to PressBox.
“It’s tough,” Minter said, according to the Associated Press. “When it happened, I think at the time you’re just hoping that maybe it’s something small.”
The injury is another blow in a frustrating stretch for Jackson, who had just returned after missing the previous three games with a high ankle sprain. He practiced fully during the week leading into the Bills game.
Quarterback room in flux
Baltimore’s problems at the position got worse as the afternoon went on. Tyler Huntley, who started the three games Jackson missed, left in the second quarter with a right toe injury and was ruled out at halftime. That pushed undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, the team’s emergency third quarterback out of UConn, into his NFL debut.
Fagnano finished 10 of 21 for 91 yards with an interception and lost a fumble on a botched snap. Running back Justice Hill was the Ravens’ emergency fourth quarterback, per the CBS broadcast.
Minter has not named a starter for the next game, and Huntley’s status is uncertain.
“Things happen. It’s how you respond,” Minter said.
Short week ahead
The loss dropped Baltimore to 4-4 and extended its losing streak to three games. The Ravens have little time to sort things out, hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 8:15 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium on Prime Video. The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10.
