Ravens say Lamar Jackson suffered broken, dislocated thumb; surgery recovery expected 6–10 weeks

Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter provided the clearest team-sourced update yet Friday on Lamar Jackson’s injury, saying the quarterback is recovering from a broken and dislocated thumb and that injuries like his that require surgery “typically take about 6-10 weeks to heal.”

In a team statement dated Nov. 13, Minter said Jackson suffered the injury in Week 8 and that the Ravens will let his recovery determine when he returns. The statement gives Baltimore’s most explicit public diagnosis and timeline guidance since Jackson was hurt earlier this month.

Jackson, the Ravens’ starting quarterback and a two-time NFL MVP, was injured Nov. 1 on Baltimore’s first offensive snap in a road game against the Buffalo Bills. Replay showed Jackson’s throwing hand make contact with Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau on the follow-through. Jackson left the field immediately and did not return.

Minter said after that game that Jackson would need surgery and would be headed to injured reserve, the NFL list that requires a player to miss at least four games before becoming eligible to return. The Ravens officially placed him on injured reserve Nov. 5, formalizing that minimum absence.

The update carries major weight for Baltimore because Jackson’s absence is central to the team’s season. The Ravens were 4-5 at the time of Minter’s statement, leaving little margin as they try to stay in the playoff race without one of the league’s most important quarterbacks.

Baltimore has already moved to steady the position while Jackson is out. The Ravens announced a trade Nov. 6 for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, adding experience as the team navigates the middle of its schedule.

Minter’s latest statement emphasized both optimism and caution.

“Lamar is doing well as he recovers from the broken and dislocated thumb injury he suffered in Week 8,” Minter said. “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.”

That public timeline broadly aligns with earlier outside reporting. NFL Network previously described the injury as a fractured and dislocated right thumb and reported an expected absence of 6-9 weeks. NFL Network also reported on Nov. 8 that Jackson told teammates he intends to return this season.

For now, though, the most important development is the one the Ravens made official Friday: Jackson’s injury has been identified by the team as a broken and dislocated thumb, and Baltimore is preparing for a recovery measured in weeks, not days.