Ravens Jackson misses third straight game as Baltimore heads to Buffalo

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will miss his third consecutive game when the team travels to Buffalo for a Sunday kickoff, extending a stretch of uncertainty that began with an ankle injury sustained in early October. Ravens coach Jesse Minter said Wednesday that Jackson's availability would not be determined until later in the week. "I think the more you can do, respond and feel, optimism will definitely increase," Minter said. "But again, we will see how things develop throughout the week."

Jackson's injury history has become a recurring source of frustration for the franchise. He has started the seventh-most games among NFL quarterbacks since his first full season as a starter in 2019, a stretch marked by availability questions that have also surrounded peers such as Joe Burrow and Brock Purdy. Baltimore's public posture on injuries has repeatedly left the door open for a return that has not materialized. Minter's Oct. 7 comments about a potential Sunday return were followed by three missed games. In 2022, coach John Harbaugh described a knee injury Jackson suffered against Denver as one that would not end the season; Jackson did not play again that year.

Jackson told reporters last week that he had been diagnosed with a severe ankle sprain. "I just try to move my way," he said. "If I can't do that, I can't help my team." Baltimore cornerback Marlon Humphrey addressed the situation surrounding Jackson's injury reporting. "I don't know if it's because of a lack of representation or what, that nobody can defend him," Humphrey said. "What I do know is this: if Lamar Jackson can play, if he is healthy enough to play, he will play, and that is all I can say about it."

The Ravens went 1-5 over a six-game stretch in 2025 after Jackson suffered a hamstring injury in Week 4. Baltimore lost its next two games without him and dropped another contest after he returned from a bye week. Jackson continued to play through the injury late that season. "I think it was a little stupid," he said last week. "I'm still injured and I'm trying to help my team win, but I'm not 100%, not even close to 100%."

Jackson has been named MVP twice, won the award in 2023 and was named All-Pro in 2024. He has faced criticism for his occasional absence from voluntary offseason practices. Contract negotiations have also been a recurring issue. Baltimore placed the franchise tag on him after the 2022 season, and a collusion case involving his situation was resolved through arbitration. The Ravens and Jackson reached an agreement, but he has declined to discuss how the talks affect him.

Jackson's cap number for 2027, the final year of his contract, is approximately $84 million, according to overthecap.com. He turns 30 in January. The Ravens play in Buffalo on Sunday.

Minter declined to say whether Jackson will play against the Bills. "There is plenty of time between now and Sunday.. There will be a point later in the week where we will be able to determine what his status is," he said on Oct. 7. Jackson has not played since that date.