Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson left Sunday’s game at Buffalo after Baltimore’s first offensive play with a right hand injury, after his throwing hand struck the arm of Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau on a pass attempt. The timing is a gut punch for Baltimore. Jackson was returning from a high left ankle sprain that had kept him out for three games, and he did not have a chance to test the ankle before he went to the sideline, where trainers examined the hand. The Ravens have not announced a diagnosis, however there was an obvious deformity seen on the thumb and he will likely be ruled out today and possibly beyond. Tyler Huntley is the backup if Jackson cannot continue, and Buffalo led 7-0 when Jackson exited.

A throwing hand striking a defender’s arm is a common way for quarterbacks to sprain a ligament, bruise the bone, or fracture a finger or the hand, and the severity is often unclear until X-rays are taken. Players can sometimes play through a mild sprain or bruise with taping or a splint, while a fracture or a significant thumb ligament injury can mean weeks. Baltimore plays again Thursday night, November 5, at home against the Jaguars, which leaves almost no time to recover if the injury is more than minor.

Jackson’s throwing-arm history is light. In September 2022, he appeared to hit his right arm on fullback Patrick Ricard in a Week 2 loss to the Dolphins, wore a padded sleeve at Wednesday’s practice, did not throw, and was listed as limited with a right elbow strain, the first time he had appeared on an injury report with an arm issue. He did not miss a game. In November 2023, during a Thursday night win over the Bengals, he flexed his throwing hand as he walked off the field in the third quarter and was examined by a trainer, then stayed in the game. At a Ravens practice, he also left early after being knocked down on a throw and appeared to be flexing his right hand and wrist, though the team said he was stepped on and fine. His other injuries were mostly lower-body and torso, including a Grade 2 right ankle sprain and bone bruise in 2021, a knee sprain in 2022, and last season a hamstring strain and a back contusion that cost him four games. The key updates are the team’s status in the first half, whether X-rays are taken, and his practice participation ahead of Thursday.