The Baltimore Ravens have provided a 6-10 week recovery window for franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson following surgery to repair a broken and dislocated thumb, according to a team statement released Friday.
Head coach Jesse Minter confirmed Jackson is progressing well but noted that injuries of this nature typically require six to 10 weeks to heal when surgery is involved. The update comes after Jackson suffered the injury on Nov. 1 during the Ravens’ Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills, ending his participation in the game. The team has since traded for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett to stabilize the position while Jackson recovers.
Recovery timeline and potential return dates
The Ravens’ statement did not specify an exact return date but outlined a general recovery period. NFL insider Ian Rapoport later suggested Jackson could return in Week 16 or 17 of the regular season, assuming Baltimore remains in playoff contention. However, the 10-week recovery window would extend his absence to the postseason, with a potential return around Jan. 10—coinciding with the NFL’s wild card round.
Brissett, who started Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, acknowledged the challenge of learning a new offense on an accelerated schedule. “It’s definitely a crash course. No question,” Brissett said ahead of his debut.
Injury timeline and team impact
Jackson initially missed three games earlier this season due to a high ankle sprain before returning against Buffalo. His thumb injury occurred on the first offensive snap of the game, forcing him out immediately. The Ravens have since struggled, dropping four straight games and falling to 4-5 in the AFC North.
The team’s acquisition of Brissett underscores the urgency to remain competitive without their star quarterback. Baltimore’s next steps hinge on winning games to keep playoff hopes alive while Jackson completes his recovery.
Official statements and team response
Minter emphasized that recovery timelines are unpredictable but reiterated that Jackson is progressing as expected. The Ravens have not committed to a specific return date, instead framing the timeline as a guide based on Jackson’s progress.
For now, the Ravens must navigate the remainder of the regular season without their franchise quarterback, with Brissett leading the charge in the interim.