Lamar Jackson has had a frustrating season, as two injuries have now forced him to miss significant time for the Baltimore Ravens. However, Jackson is remaining optimistic.
The Ravens did not rule the veteran quarterback out for the season, even though he needs surgery to repair a broken and dislocated thumb. With only so much time until the end of the season, Jackson has a small window of return if he wants to play again.
That also requires Baltimore staying in the playoff race long enough for Jackson to come back to play in games that matter. The quarterback, therefore, had a message to his team as the Ravens play the next several weeks without their best player.
Here’s what Jackson told his teammates.
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Lamar Jackson message to Ravens
With Jackson set to miss a larger chunk of time, the Ravens will be tasked with trying to win without him. The quarterback, though, delivered a message to his teammates, hoping to motivate them for however long they will be without him.
“Just stay alive” is what ESPN reports Jackson told the Ravens.
Jackson’s timetable for return will have the quarterback potentially coming back within the last few weeks of the season, which Baltimore hopes will matter for a playoff push. Each of the Ravens’ final four games of the season is in the division, with two games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and a game each vs. the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals.
If Jackson can return for those games, then the Ravens could still have a chance to win the division. Baltimore also has yet to take its bye week, which will only help the Ravens with Jackson rehab.
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When will Lamar Jackson return?
Jackson is slated to miss 6-9 weeks with a fractured and dislocated thumb, which requires surgery. While that will be a while until the quarterback can play, it doesn’t mean that Jackson is out for the season.
Jackson suffered the injury on Nov. 1, and six weeks from then is Dec. 20, which is when the Ravens will play the Steelers for the first time this year. After that game, Baltimore plays its three division rivals for the second time before the season ends.
The Ravens play the Browns on Dec. 27, the Bengals on Dec. 31, and the Steelers in the final week of the regular season. If Jackson does play again during the 2026 season, it will be for at least one of these final four games.
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