(UPDATE: The Ravens ruled Jackson OUT for the remainder of the game)
The Baltimore Ravens suffered a major blow on Sunday Night Football in Week 16 when quarterback Lamar Jackson exited the game after sustaining a painful back injury. Jackson absorbed a knee directly to his left flank area — the region commonly referred to as the “floating ribs.” This area is particularly vulnerable, as it lacks the same structural protection as the rest of the rib cage and often leads to significant pain, muscle spasms, or rib contusions.
Initial medical protocol called for X-rays to rule out a fracture, which is standard for this type of mechanism. While imaging can help identify broken ribs, it does not always capture soft-tissue damage, deep bruising, or muscle strain. Reports indicated that Jackson would have required a pain-numbing injection to return to the game — a clear sign the injury was limiting his ability to rotate, throw, and absorb contact. Ultimately, Jackson did not return after halftime, a decision that strongly suggests the injury is more than just superficial soreness.
From a medical standpoint, flank and rib injuries are notoriously difficult for quarterbacks to play through. The torque required to throw the football, combined with repeated hits and contact, dramatically increases the risk of aggravation. Even if imaging remains clean, pain tolerance becomes the determining factor — and injections only provide temporary relief without addressing underlying inflammation or instability.
“There are a lot of intercostal muscles in that area, likely below the typical ‘flapjack’ region where the floating ribs are located,” Dr. David Chao said. “Those are usually cartilage ribs, so there shouldn’t be a fracture. The plan is obviously to get X-rays, and the question becomes whether he can return. Can he twist? Can he throw the ball? Can he run and be effective?”
Chao added that Jackson would likely require an intercostal nerve block or rib block to have any chance of returning to the game, even if imaging shows no true rib fracture. “At this point, as dynamic as Lamar is, I don’t see how he can return if they can’t adequately block the pain,” he said.
With Jackson sidelined, the Ravens’ offensive ceiling drops significantly. Baltimore’s system is built around his mobility, off-script playmaking, and ability to stress defenses horizontally. Without him, the offense becomes far more predictable, placing additional strain on an already inconsistent supporting cast.
As the regular season winds down, this injury couldn’t come at a worse time. Baltimore’s playoff hopes were already fragile, and losing their franchise quarterback at this stage could be the final blow. Expect Jackson to be ruled out in the near future as the team prioritizes long-term health over a risky return — a decision that may effectively signal the slow fade of the Ravens’ postseason aspirations.
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