Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson needs surgery on his injured right thumb, a procedure that coach Jesse Minter indicated could be season-ending. Jackson sustained the injury during the first offensive play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
The injury occurred as Jackson was dropping back to pass to Zay Flowers. His right hand struck the arm of Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau, preventing him from completing his follow-through. Jackson was immediately escorted to the tunnel after appearing to point to his thumb. He was initially listed as questionable but was later ruled out before the end of the first quarter.
This injury marks a significant setback for Jackson, who had recently returned after missing three games with an ankle injury. The Ravens' offensive production has notably declined in his absence. During the three games Jackson missed previously, the team scored 63 fewer points and averaged three fewer yards per play compared to the first three games with him under center.
The Ravens also lost backup quarterback Tyler Huntley early in the second quarter due to a toe injury, forcing them to rely on third-string quarterback Joe Fagnano, an undrafted rookie, for the remainder of the game. Fagnano completed his first two passes for 28 yards in his NFL debut.