The Baltimore Ravens face a quarterback crisis after Lamar Jackson injured his right thumb against Buffalo and is set for surgery and injured reserve. Backup Tyler Huntley also suffered a toe injury, leaving rookie Joe Fagnano in the mix.
Jackson’s latest setback came on the first offensive snap of Baltimore’s 36–10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, November 1. Head coach Jesse Minter confirmed after the game that the two-time MVP would undergo surgery and be placed on injured reserve.
Jackson set for surgery after thumb injury
Jackson hurt his throwing hand on Baltimore’s opening offensive play against the Bills. His thumb collided with a defender as he attempted a pass, and he immediately left the field to receive medical attention.
Coach Jesse Minter said Jackson would have surgery and be placed on injured reserve. Under the NFL’s injured-reserve rules, that move means he must miss at least four games. As of the coach’s November 2 update, Jackson had not yet undergone the procedure and the team had not provided a firm return timetable.
The injury is another setback after Jackson had already missed the Ravens’ previous three games with an ankle injury. Baltimore lost 36–10 to Buffalo, falling to 4–4 on the season.
Tyler Huntley also dealing with a toe injury
The Ravens’ quarterback situation became more difficult when backup Tyler Huntley hurt his toe in the first half against Buffalo. He was ruled out after halftime and is expected to undergo further evaluation.
Minter said the team was still working through Huntley’s situation. The coach indicated Huntley was unlikely to play in the next game, although the longer-term outlook had not been established.
Jackson is scheduled for surgery; the procedure had not taken place at the time of Baltimore’s November 2 update. Huntley’s recovery timeline also remains uncertain.
Rookie Joe Fagnano could be next in line
Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano entered against Buffalo after both Jackson and Huntley were hurt. He completed 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards with one interception, according to the official game recap.
Fagnano also dealt with a minor issue during the game but finished the contest. With Jackson headed to injured reserve and Huntley uncertain, Fagnano is among the options Baltimore must consider for its next fixture.
Ravens face a quick turnaround against Jacksonville
Baltimore is scheduled to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football, leaving limited time to settle the quarterback depth chart. Minter said the team was still working through its options and expected to have more clarity over the following days.
The situation places additional pressure on the offensive staff to prepare a game plan that suits the available quarterback. The Ravens will also need to monitor the health of the rest of the roster after a difficult loss in Buffalo.
What Lamar Jackson’s absence means for Baltimore
Jackson is central to Baltimore’s passing and running game, so his absence changes the structure of the offense. The Ravens must now balance short passing, protection and quarterback mobility around whoever is available.
For a team trying to stay in the AFC race, the next four games become especially important. The immediate priority is to confirm a healthy starter and avoid rushing either injured quarterback back before medical clearance.
Official sources and further reading
Updated November 3, 2026. Jackson’s surgery and IR placement were announced by the head coach; the exact return date and Huntley’s availability remain unconfirmed.
