Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is expected to miss six to nine weeks with a fractured and dislocated right thumb, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who reported the timeline on Sunday morning. The two-time NFL MVP has vowed to return this season if the Ravens stay in the playoff race.

Jackson suffered the injury on Baltimore's first offensive play of the 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on 1 November, just one snap into his return from a high ankle sprain. His throwing hand collided with Bills pass rusher Gregory Rousseau. Head coach Jesse Minter said after the game that Jackson needed surgery and would go on injured reserve, hinting the injury could potentially end his season.

"Just stay alive" message to teammates

Jackson told his teammates within a day of the injury that he intends to play again this season. His message to the locker room, as reported by Rapoport, was simple: "Just stay alive, and if you do I will be back." The six-week end of the recovery window would put him back for Baltimore's closing stretch of four straight AFC North games, starting against the Pittsburgh Steelers on 20 December, while nine weeks would leave only the regular-season finale.

Jackson has appeared in just four games this season, throwing for 967 yards, six touchdowns and one interception, while adding 144 rushing yards and a score. Baltimore are 4-5 after four straight defeats, and the offence has scored 10, 13, 10 and 10 points across that slide. With backup Tyler Huntley also on injured reserve, undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano started Thursday's 33-10 loss to Jacksonville, completing 10 of 18 passes for 60 yards and two interceptions.

The Ravens have moved to cover the gap, finalising a trade for veteran Jacoby Brissett on Friday. Baltimore sent a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 seventh-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for Brissett and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Brissett, who started Arizona's first eight games, is expected to make his Ravens debut when Baltimore host the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football on 16 November.