Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter confirms that Jackson suffered a broken and dislocated thumb requiring surgery, leaving newly acquired Jacoby Brissett to lead the struggling team.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson faces a lengthy recovery after suffering a broken and dislocated thumb during the team’s November 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Jesse Minter confirmed the injury on Friday, November 13, 2026, explaining that similar injuries requiring surgery typically take six to ten weeks to heal. The update raises questions about whether the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player will return before the regular season ends.
The Ravens have struggled without Jackson, losing four consecutive games and falling to 4-5. Baltimore recently acquired veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals to stabilize its struggling offense. With eight regular-season games remaining, the team must improve quickly to remain competitive in the AFC playoff race.
Minter Confirms Jackson’s Thumb Injury
Jackson suffered the injury on Baltimore’s first offensive play against Buffalo on November 1. He collided with Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau while attempting a pass and was unable to continue playing.
The Ravens lost that game 36-10, extending a difficult stretch for a team that had opened the season with four victories in its first five games. Jackson’s absence left Baltimore without its most important offensive player.
Minter provided the first detailed public explanation of the injury in a statement released Friday morning. The coach said Jackson was recovering well but emphasized that predicting an exact return date would be difficult.
According to the Ravens’ official website, Minter explained that injuries of this type generally require six to ten weeks to heal following surgery. However, that timeframe should not be interpreted as a guaranteed return date.
The team intends to evaluate Jackson’s progress before deciding when he can resume football activities. Minter also emphasized that Baltimore remains committed to improving its performance during the second half of the season.
The announcement provided more information than the Ravens had previously disclosed. Earlier updates had described the injury without establishing its full severity or confirming a specific recovery window.
Jackson’s Return Could Come Late in the Season
The six-to-ten-week recovery estimate creates several possible scenarios for Jackson’s return. Depending on how his thumb responds to treatment, he could potentially become available during the final weeks of the regular season.
A recovery lasting six weeks from the November 1 injury would place Jackson near the middle of December. A ten-week recovery would extend into January, potentially overlapping with the final regular-season games or the start of the postseason.
Those dates remain estimates rather than a confirmed medical schedule. Jackson would still need clearance to practice and demonstrate that he could throw effectively without risking further injury.
The Ravens also face uncertainty about where they will stand in the playoff race when he becomes available. A late return would have greater significance if Baltimore remains within reach of a postseason berth.
Jackson reportedly told teammates that he intended to return this season. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport previously reported that the quarterback encouraged the team to remain competitive while he recovered.
The message suggested that Jackson had not abandoned hopes of playing again in 2026. Nevertheless, neither the quarterback nor the coaching staff has announced a definite date for his return.
Ravens Turn to Jacoby Brissett
Baltimore completed a trade with Arizona on November 6 to acquire Brissett, an experienced quarterback who has played for several NFL teams. The move followed a series of injuries that left the Ravens struggling to maintain stability at the position.
Brissett, 33, started eight games for the Cardinals this season before losing his starting job. He completed 193 of 305 passes for 1,719 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Those numbers demonstrate that Brissett has substantial recent playing experience. Baltimore hopes his knowledge of NFL offenses and ability to manage games can help the team remain competitive.
The Ravens reportedly surrendered a 2027 fourth-round draft selection and a 2028 seventh-round pick in the trade. Arizona sent Brissett and a 2027 fifth-round selection to Baltimore.
Brissett is expected to make his first Ravens start against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, November 16. He would become Baltimore’s fourth starting quarterback in four games, illustrating the problems created by the team’s injuries.
The veteran has spent the days leading up to the matchup learning Baltimore’s offensive terminology and working with his new teammates. Adjusting to another team’s system in the middle of a season presents challenges, particularly with limited practice time.
Brissett will need to develop connections with receivers while learning the responsibilities assigned to him by Baltimore’s coaching staff. The Ravens are hoping his experience will help shorten that adjustment period.
Quarterback Injuries Have Disrupted Baltimore’s Offense
Jackson’s thumb injury came shortly after another physical setback. He suffered a high left ankle sprain against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4 and missed three games before returning against Buffalo.
His comeback lasted only one offensive play before the thumb injury forced him out again. The sequence has made it difficult for Baltimore to establish consistency at quarterback.
Backup Tyler Huntley has also been sidelined with a toe injury and remains on injured reserve. Reports indicate he is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano handled much of the offensive work during Baltimore’s recent games. The undrafted rookie was placed in a difficult situation against established NFL defenses.
The results have been disappointing. Baltimore has scored fewer than 14 points in four consecutive games, the first such stretch in franchise history.
The Ravens have also struggled to sustain drives and create scoring opportunities. Those problems have placed additional pressure on the defense, which has spent considerable time on the field.
Jackson’s absence affects more than the passing game. His mobility forces opposing defenses to account for quarterback runs, creating opportunities for Baltimore’s running backs and receivers.
Without that threat, opponents can approach the Ravens differently. Brissett brings experience, but his playing style does not duplicate Jackson’s unusual combination of rushing ability and passing production.
Baltimore Faces Important Games Ahead
The Ravens will host the winless Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night at M&T Bank Stadium. The matchup gives Brissett an opportunity to make an immediate impact against a team that has struggled throughout the season.
Baltimore then faces the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans before meeting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Those opponents entered the week with losing records, providing the Ravens with opportunities to improve their standing.
However, the team cannot afford to assume those games will be easy. Baltimore’s recent offensive performances have demonstrated how quickly injuries and turnovers can affect results.
The schedule becomes more challenging near the end of the regular season. The Ravens finish with four consecutive AFC North matchups, including two games against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Those divisional contests could have significant playoff implications if Baltimore remains competitive. They could also fall within the estimated window for Jackson’s possible return.
The Ravens were 4-1 before their four-game losing streak. Their current record leaves little room for additional setbacks as teams across the conference compete for postseason positions.
Jackson’s Recovery Remains the Biggest Question
Jackson has experienced several significant injuries during his NFL career. An ankle injury ended his 2021 season early, while a knee injury kept him out of the final regular-season games and playoffs in 2022.
He also missed time during the 2025 season because of hamstring and back problems. The current thumb injury adds another difficult interruption for a quarterback whose athletic ability has been central to Baltimore’s offense.
The latest setback presents a particularly complicated challenge because it affects his throwing hand. Even after the injury heals, Jackson must regain the strength, comfort and control required to deliver accurate passes.
The Ravens have not described the injury as definitively season-ending. Their decision to acquire Brissett, however, demonstrates that the organization is preparing to play several more games without its starting quarterback.
For now, Baltimore’s immediate focus is Monday’s matchup against the Chargers. Brissett will attempt to reverse the team’s losing streak while Jackson continues rehabilitation.
The next several games will help determine whether the Ravens can remain in postseason contention long enough for their injured quarterback to return. Jackson’s medical progress will ultimately determine when, or whether, he plays again this season.
IMAGE: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens quarterback, interacts with service members after practice at Ravens Training Camp Facility in Owings Mills, Md., July 30, 2018. More than 1,000 service members from throughout the National Capital Region filled the stands to watch as players and coaches ran a variety of drills and scrimmages.. Photo: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Delano Scott / Wikimedia, taken 2018-07-30, Public domain