Lamar Jackson Injures Back in Loss to Patriots, Status Day-to-Day Ahead of Crucial Week 17 Matchup
The Baltimore Ravens’ playoff hopes took a major hit on Sunday - and not just on the scoreboard. Quarterback Lamar Jackson exited the team’s 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots with a back injury, leaving the Ravens without their most dynamic weapon during one of the most pivotal moments of the season.
Jackson completed 7 of 10 passes for 101 yards before leaving in the first half. He did not return, and backup Tyler Huntley took over under center for the remainder of the game. With Baltimore clinging to postseason hopes, the timing of Jackson’s injury couldn’t have been worse.
On Monday, head coach John Harbaugh confirmed that Jackson suffered a back contusion and is considered day-to-day. That’s at least a somewhat encouraging update for Ravens fans, considering how serious the moment felt when Jackson left the field. But with just two games left and the margin for error razor-thin, his availability moving forward is absolutely critical.
This isn’t the first time this season Jackson has been sidelined. Earlier in the year, he missed three games due to a hamstring injury - part of a season that’s seen flashes of his MVP-caliber play but also stretches of inconsistency and physical wear.
The injury has also sparked some debate. Analyst Nick Wright raised questions about Jackson’s absence from the second half, noting that the play that caused the injury didn’t appear especially severe. While acknowledging Jackson’s toughness and history of playing through pain, Wright wondered aloud whether other top-tier quarterbacks might have attempted to return in such a high-stakes moment.
It’s a fair conversation in the context of playoff urgency - not a critique of Jackson’s toughness, but a reflection of how high the stakes are for a Ravens team teetering on the edge of the postseason picture. Baltimore now sits at 7-8, and the path to the playoffs is narrow: they must win both of their remaining games and hope the Pittsburgh Steelers lose their final two.
That journey continues Saturday night in one of the NFL’s most storied venues: Lambeau Field. The Ravens will face the 9-5-1 Green Bay Packers in a primetime Week 17 showdown.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, and all eyes will be on who’s under center for Baltimore.
If Jackson can go, even at less than 100%, his presence alone changes the complexion of the game. His ability to create outside the pocket and keep defenses honest with his legs has long been the engine of this Ravens offense. Without him, the margin for error shrinks dramatically.
This is the kind of moment where legacies are shaped - not just for Jackson, but for a Ravens team looking to prove it can still contend when it matters most. Whether Jackson suits up or not, Baltimore’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. Saturday night in Green Bay could very well be the tipping point.