Lamar Jackson Ruled Out Against Bills After One Play
The Ravens quarterback suffered a thumb injury on his first offensive snap of his return from an ankle problem.
By Justin Brooks ·
Lamar Jackson left the Baltimore Ravens' game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday after suffering an injury on the team's first offensive play. The two-time MVP was ruled out for the remainder of the contest at Highmark Stadium. He had just returned to the field after missing the previous three games due to an ankle injury sustained in Week 4.
The injury occurred with just over 10 minutes left in the first quarter. On a first-and-10 situation, Jackson attempted a pass to Zay Flowers. His throwing hand collided with a defender's arm during the motion, causing immediate pain. Jackson ran to the sideline and was taken to the locker room by the training staff, where he was diagnosed with a thumb injury.
Tyler Huntley replaced Jackson on the field but did not last long. The backup quarterback suffered a toe injury in the second quarter. This forced the Ravens to turn to their third-string option, rookie Joe Fagnano. Fagnano, an undrafted player from the University of Connecticut, made his first career appearance in this game.
The absence of Jackson significantly changes the Ravens' statistical profile. During the first four games of the season with Jackson on the field, Baltimore averaged 29.8 points per game and posted a 3-1 record. Over the past three weeks without him, the team went 1-2 and averaged only 17.7 points per game.
A right thumb injury poses a specific challenge for quarterbacks by affecting their ability to grip the football. The Ravens play again in Week 9 on Thursday night against the Jaguars. Given the nature of the thumb injury and Jackson's ruling out for Sunday's game, his status for the Thursday contest remains a concern for the team.
Source: CBS Sports
