Lamar Jackson Exits with Back Injury; Tyler Huntley Steps In Amid Controversial Hit
The Baltimore Ravens were dealt a major blow late in the first half of their Sunday Night Football clash against the New England Patriots, as star quarterback Lamar Jackson left the game with a back injury. The two-time AP MVP was ruled questionable to return, casting a shadow over what had been a tightly contested matchup.
With Jackson sidelined, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley was called into action. Huntley, who rejoined the Ravens this season after a stint with the Miami Dolphins, has seen limited snaps this year - just three appearances, including one start - but was suddenly thrust into the spotlight in a high-pressure situation.
And it didn’t take long for things to get heated.
On one of his first plays under center, Huntley was hit by Patriots linebacker Jack Gibbens after releasing a pass. The contact drew immediate attention from officials, who flagged Gibbens for roughing the passer. The hit didn’t appear overly violent in real time, but replay showed what looked like helmet-to-helmet contact - enough for officials to throw the flag and tack on a 15-yard penalty.
However, the play didn’t end there. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was also penalized for an illegal forward pass after an 8-yard reception from Huntley. The two fouls offset, nullifying the yardage gain and penalty enforcement on either side.
According to the NFL rulebook, any physical act against a quarterback in a passing posture that officials deem unnecessary or excessive can result in a roughing the passer penalty. The league takes these hits seriously - especially when they involve potential head or neck contact - and fines for such infractions can run $17,389 for a first offense and up to $23,186 for a repeat violation.
Now, both teams await further word from the NFL. The league will review the incident as part of its standard postgame process, with any disciplinary decisions expected to be announced in Saturday’s gameday accountability report.
As for the Ravens, all eyes are on Jackson’s status. With the playoff picture tightening and Baltimore in the thick of the AFC race, the health of their franchise quarterback could shape the road ahead. Huntley has proven capable in the past, but there's no replacing the dynamic impact Jackson brings to the field.