The Ravens have put their own words to what had only been reported about Lamar Jackson's injury.
Head coach Jesse Minter released a statement Friday confirming that Jackson suffered a broken and dislocated thumb in Week 8 against Buffalo, that the injury required surgery, and that recoveries like his typically take six to 10 weeks. It's the first time the team has publicly detailed the injury or a timeline after Minter repeatedly declined to discuss it, including after last week's loss to Jacksonville and again at his press conference Monday.
Here is Minter's full statement:
"Lamar is doing well as he recovers from the broken and dislocated thumb injury he suffered in Week 8.
"Recovery timelines are challenging to predict, but injuries like this that require surgery typically take about 6-10 weeks to heal. He is doing everything he can to get back, and we will let his progress guide the timing of his return.
"We are committed to playing our best football over the second half of the season."
What the Statement Confirms
Most of the statement lines up with what NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported last weekend: a fractured and dislocated thumb on Jackson's throwing hand, surgery to repair it, and a recovery measured in weeks rather than days.
The one difference is the back end of the window. Rapoport reported six to nine weeks. Minter's statement stretches that to 10, and stresses that Jackson's progress, not the calendar, will decide when he plays again.
The statement also stops short of ruling Jackson out for the season, which fits with reports that he has told teammates he plans to return.
What a 6-10 Week Window Means on the Schedule
Counting from the Nov. 1 injury, here's where that window lands:
| Recovery mark | Approx. date | Ravens game in play |
|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks | Dec. 13 | Week 14 |
| 8 weeks | Dec. 27 | Week 16 vs. Cleveland Browns |
| 10 weeks | Jan. 10 | Week 18 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers |
The best case still puts Jackson back for the final month of the regular season. At the 10-week mark, his return would line up with the season finale against Pittsburgh. Counting from the date of surgery rather than the injury would push each mark back a few days.
The Bridge to Jackson's Return
Whether a return matters depends on what happens without him. The Ravens are 4-5 and have lost four straight, all with Jackson either sidelined or knocked out early.
Baltimore traded for veteran Jacoby Brissett to steady the offense after Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley both went to injured reserve, and after undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano was limited to a short-passing game in a 33-10 loss to Jacksonville. Brissett has spent the past week on a crash course in the Ravens' offense and is expected to make his first start Monday night.
The last line of Minter's statement, a commitment to playing their best football over the second half of the season, is aimed at exactly that stretch. If the Ravens can stay in the playoff race through December, Jackson's return becomes a late-season boost. If not, his vow to come back may not have anything left to come back to.
Up Next: Ravens vs. Chargers
Matchup: Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens
When: Monday, Nov. 16, 8:15 p.m. ET
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
TV: ESPN
For everything happening at the stadium, including Ja Rule's pregame and halftime shows, see our Ravens-Chargers gameday guide.