Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson plans to return this season despite a fractured and dislocated thumb that requires surgery, according to reports detailed by Baltimore Beatdown.
His placement on injured reserve will sideline him past Baltimore’s Week 13 bye.
Jackson encouraged his teammates to keep their playoff hopes alive until he comes back. Surgery on his throwing hand will likely keep him out longer than the minimum IR stay, with Rapoport reporting a typical six- to nine-week recovery timeline for a fractured and dislocated thumb.
If that recovery timeline is accurate, Jackson’s earliest possible return would come in Week 15 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That matchup will likely affect the AFC North playoff standings. A nine-week recovery would push his absence out to Week 18 for the Ravens’ second meeting with the Steelers, at which point returning to the field might no longer make sense.
As of Saturday, Jackson had yet to undergo surgery, per Bleacher Report’s James Palmer. Regardless of his optimism and determination, the two-time MVP will not know anything about his ability to grip a football for weeks. That physical test will ultimately dictate the remainder of the Ravens’ 2026 season.
The star quarterback recently pushed back against an earlier injury report from Rapoport regarding an ankle issue. Jackson stated that head athletic trainer Adrian Dixon informed him he suffered a high ankle sprain, rather than the unique sprain originally reported.
Lamar Jackson hasn't had surgery on his right thumb yet. There are a few variables at play, but a return is still possible this season. As for his long term future, there won't be any contract discussions until after the season. The Ravens want Jackson long term, always have. https://t.co/cYWfAD7FJE
Jackson’s potential comeback will only matter if recent trade acquisition Jacoby Brissett and Baltimore’s struggling defense can keep the team afloat over the next month. The Ravens face the winless Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10, a squad that could be without starting quarterback Justin Herbert.
Following that matchup, Baltimore plays the Houston Texans and the Carolina Panthers—two inconsistent teams this season—before facing the 3-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the bye week.
The Ravens likely need to win three of those four games to reach a 7-6 record and preserve their postseason chances. From there, they would need at least two, if not three victories against the Steelers twice, the Cleveland Browns, and the Cincinnati Bengals to close out the regular season.
