The Baltimore Ravens’ postseason hopes took a hit Sunday night when quarterback Lamar Jackson left with a back injury in the first half of their 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots.
Jackson exited the game shortly after the two-minute warning in the second quarter following a short run, during which he absorbed contact to his lower back. He left the field and headed to the locker room before halftime and did not return. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley replaced him and remained under center for the rest of the game.
“I’m mad because I felt like the game was in our favor,” Jackson said afterward, visibly uncomfortable as he spoke with reporters. “I gave myself up, and I got kneed in the back. I can’t finish the game with my guys. It’s BS.”
Before leaving, Jackson had completed seven of 10 passes for 101 yards and rushed twice for seven yards, helping Baltimore stay competitive in a game critical to their playoff hopes. The Ravens entered at 7-7, needing a win to keep pace in the AFC North after the Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 9-6 earlier Sunday, making a victory essential to maintaining realistic postseason hopes.
Huntley played efficiently in relief, but Baltimore was unable to protect a late lead as New England scored twice in the final nine minutes to complete the comeback. The loss dropped the Ravens to 7-8 and left their margin for error razor-thin with two games remaining.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh described Jackson’s injury as a bruise but said the team would know more after additional testing.
“I don’t know how serious it’ll be,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll have to find out over the next couple of days. There’s nothing definitive yet.”
Jackson said he attempted to return but was unable to throw comfortably, even after halftime treatment.
“I was trying,” he said. “I got a Toradol shot and stuff like that, but it still didn’t get any better. Pain. It hurts.”
Injuries have been a recurring theme for Jackson this season. Entering Sunday, he had played in only 11 of Baltimore’s first 14 games, missing three with a hamstring injury. He has also been limited or unavailable for several practices due to various ailments, including knee, ankle, and toe issues.
These recurring injuries have also brought scrutiny to Baltimore’s injury reporting. In October, the NFL fined the Ravens $100,000 for violating injury report policy after Jackson was mislisted before a game with the Bears, per league officials.
Despite the injuries, Jackson has remained productive when on the field. Entering Week 16, he had thrown for 2,210 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for 333 yards and two additional scores. He is in the third year of a five-year, $260 million contract signed before the 2023 season, a deal that cemented him as the franchise cornerstone.
The Ravens were 6-5 in games started by Jackson entering Sunday, a stark contrast to their struggles without him. Since he became the full-time starter midway through the 2018 season, Baltimore has posted one of the NFL’s best winning percentages with Jackson under center and has been significantly less effective in games he has missed.
Safety Kyle Hamilton acknowledged the challenge the team faces if Jackson cannot return quickly.
“You’re talking about losing a multitime MVP and one of the best players in the league,” Hamilton said. “That’s always going to be tough. But we’ve got confidence in the guys who step in.”
Baltimore now faces a daunting finish to the season, with road games against the Green Bay Packers and the Steelers remaining. The Ravens can be eliminated from playoff contention as early as next weekend, depending on their result and outcomes elsewhere in the AFC.
For Jackson, the focus remains on recovery — for Jackson, urgency is paramount — his recovery must be swift if he hopes to return, as Baltimore’s flickering postseason ambitions hang in the balance. What the scans say and go from there.”
