The season began with such promise for Baltimore, but it has been all downhill for the team since their 15-point fourth quarter collapse in Week 1. They, fittingly, followed it up with an 11-point fourth quarter blown lead in Week 16.
Specifically, it has been a tough season all-around for the two-time MVP quarterback, who has battled countless injuries in 2025. After dealing with hamstring and toe ailments, Jackson added a back injury to the list in Week 16.
He departed ‘Sunday Night Football’ in the final moments of the first half, but didn’t return as the Ravens’ playoff hopes began to slip away. While they aren’t officially eliminated, Jackson’s team no longer controls their own destiny in the final two weeks.
The Ravens’ season will be on the line the next time they play, which is something nobody would’ve expected for one of the Super Bowl favorites just a few months ago.
Here’s what to know about the Ravens quarterback.
What happened to Lamar Jackson?
Jackson suffered a serious back contusion and is considered to be day-to-day, according to head coach John Harbaugh.
‘It doesn’t look like it’s more than that,’ Harbaugh said, via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, on Dec. 22. ‘He’s in there getting treatment now.’
The quarterback initially suffered the back injury in the second quarter of the Ravens’ Week 16 loss to the Patriots.
He was kneed in the back on a three-yard run late in the first half, but briefly remained in the game. Jackson exited for the locker room ahead of halftime and NBC’s Melissa Stark noted that the quarterback struggled to get down the steps when leaving the sideline.
Harbaugh told reporters after the game that the injury is ‘a bruise of some kind.’
‘I don’t know how serious it will be,’ Harbaugh said. ‘We’ll have to find out the next couple of days. He got kneed on the back [while] on the ground there.’
The coach also pointed out that it wasn’t simply a pain tolerance issue for the 28-year-old, who was unable to continue because of the injury.
‘If he could’ve gone, he would’ve gone,’ Harbaugh said.
Jackson was frustrated and appear visibly uncomfortable after the game, speaking as the injuries pile up.
‘It’s BS,’ Jackson said, upset that he couldn’t finish the game. ‘I can’t control that. I’m on the ground, I’m down, I gave myself up, I got kneed in the back.’
He said the goal is to still play in Week 17, adding that he’ll have some tests done on Dec. 22 to determine the extent of the injury.
Lamar Jackson injury updates
Jackson was ruled out of Week 16 with a back injury.
The quarterback was initially considered questionable after departing the contest with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. He ultimately remained in the locker room after halftime, paving the way for Tyler Huntley to lead the offense to finish the game.
Baltimore and New England were tied at 10 when Jackson exited.
How long is Lamar Jackson out?
Jackson is considered day-to-day with a back contusion, according to Harbaugh.
The quarterback was spotted on the sidelines after being officially ruled out, walking around wearing street clothes. It’s unclear if he’ll be ready for the Ravens’ Week 17 matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
Baltimore won’t have the luxury of time either. It’s a short week for the Ravens, who will play a Saturday game in Week 17 on Dec. 27.
The Ravens’ playoff hopes are hanging on by a thread after entering Week 16 in control of their own destiny. Baltimore’s potential paths have been reduced to just one – win the final two games and the Browns defeat the Steelers in Week 17.