Lamar Jackson Sits Out Again As Ravens Fall to Bottom of Division

Lamar Jackson sat out his third consecutive game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, forcing the Baltimore Ravens to play without their starting quarterback once again. The decision came after the team observed increased swelling in his left ankle, a setback that has kept him off the field for three weeks following a high ankle sprain suffered in a win over the Tennessee Titans.

The injury occurred when Jackson’s ankle bent awkwardly during the second half of the game against Tennessee. He remained on the sideline for much of the remainder of that contest, keeping his jersey and shoulder pads on in a sign that suggested a possible return. That possibility has since evaporated, leaving fans and players unsure of a specific timeline for his comeback.

Expectations for Jackson’s return have fluctuated over the past month. Coach Jesse Minter initially described the issue as minor, noting that there were discussions about a return on the day of the injury. Jackson missed two weeks of practice and was ruled out for games against the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns. Last week, the team believed he was ready to start against the Cincinnati Bengals. He participated in limited practices all week, worked with the first-team offense on Friday, and joined television production meetings, a routine typically reserved for starters.

That trajectory changed on Saturday when Jackson was ruled out. CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson reported that the news came as a shock to the team. Minter later described that reaction as a slight mischaracterization. In his first public comments since the injury, Jackson explained that the decision rests on his ability to tolerate pain. He noted that planting his foot while running still hurts. He said, “If I can just go out there and feel the pain a little bit, I can play. But [if] I'm restricted and I can't do what I do, [then] I'm not helping [anybody].”

Jackson has missed games due to injury in four of his last six seasons, yet his total absence count is lower than several peers. Since 2019, he has missed 17 games to injury, excluding illness and COVID-19. That number is lower than Kyler Murray’s 31, Dak Prescott’s 26, Daniel Jones’ 25, and Joe Burrow’s 22. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey argued earlier this month that Jackson faces unfair scrutiny. Humphrey stated, “If Lamar Jackson can play, if he's healthy enough to play, he will play.”

The impact of his absence is evident in the team’s record. In the three seasons where Jackson missed at least four games, Baltimore failed to make the playoffs in 2021 and 2025. This season started strongly, with Jackson ranking third in QBR at 82.7. He had thrown six touchdowns and one interception while rushing for 144 yards through the first four games. Since the sprain, the Ravens have dropped from first place in the AFC North at 3-1 to last in the division at 4-3.

The Bills, currently 5-1, present the next challenge for Baltimore. Minter said Jackson is in a decent spot health-wise as the team prepares for the matchup. The current injury is the latest in a series of physical setbacks for the quarterback. His first major injury occurred in December 2021 in Cleveland, where a right ankle bone bruise kept him out for the final four games, all of which were losses. That injury cost the Ravens a division lead and a playoff spot.

In December 2022, Jackson sprained his PCL after being sacked by Jonathon Cooper. Then-coach John Harbaugh said the injury was not season-ending, but Jackson missed the final five regular-season games and the wild-card game in Cincinnati. Three days before that game, Jackson posted that his knee remained unstable. The Ravens lost that contest 24-17 after backup Tyler Huntley fumbled at the goal line, allowing Cincinnati to return it 98 yards for the winning score.

A hamstring injury in late September 2025 also disrupted his rhythm. Jackson missed three games amid confusion over his practice status. After returning, he went 8-5 as a starter, throwing 17 touchdown passes and seven interceptions while averaging 25 rushing yards over his final 13 games. He described his early return as a mistake. Minter now says the team will know when Jackson is ready. He said, “he'll be on the field, and everybody will know when that is.”