Lamar Jackson Heads to Injured Reserve After Thumb Surgery in Fresh Ravens Blow

Lamar Jackson's long-awaited return lasted exactly one play. The Baltimore Ravens quarterback, back after missing three games with an ankle injury, took the field against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday only for his right thumb to collide with Greg Rousseau's arm on his first pass attempt. Jackson left immediately and was ruled out, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport later reported that he will have surgery on the thumb and go on injured reserve, with coach Jesse Minter saying "we'll see" whether the injury ends his season. It was another cruel setback for a Ravens team already thin on margin for error in a crowded AFC race. Backup Tyler Huntley also went down in the game with a toe issue, leaving third-string rookie Joe Fagnano to finish the contest as Buffalo ran out 36-10 winners. Jackson's absence now leaves Baltimore facing a difficult stretch without the two-time MVP, and speculation has already begun about whether the Ravens will look for emergency quarterback help. For now, though, the immediate concern is Jackson's recovery and whether he can return at all this season.