Baltimore Ravens fans must be channeling their inner Lloyd Christmas after Jesse Minter's latest update: "So, you're telling me there's a chance."
The Ravens' head coach released a statement on Friday, Nov. 13 that gave an updated timeline for quarterback Lamar Jackson's return from injury
. The timeline that Minter provided suggests Jackson still has a chance to return by the end of the regular season."Recovery timelines are challenging to predict, but injuries like this that require surgery typically take 6-10 weeks to heal," Minter's statement read. "He is doing everything he can to get back, and we will let his progress guide the timing of his return."
case for and against it
Until Jackson returns, the Ravens plan to roll with veteran Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback. Baltimore acquired Brissett via a trade with the Arizona Cardinals last weekend, and the 33-year-old is set to make his Ravens debut in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football."
Should Baltimore make the playoffs, it could see Jackson return in time to aid in a postseason push, per Minter's statement. The Ravens are currently 4-5 and in last place in the AFC North, but they're one game behind the 5-4 Patriots, who currently hold the conference's No. 7 seed.
Here's everything to know about Jackson's injury and possible return this year:
Lamar Jackson injury update
Minter released a statement via the Ravens' social media accounts, sharing that Jackson is expected to miss 6-10 weeks while recovering from his "broken and dislocated thumb injury."
"Lamar is doing well as he recovers from the broken and dislocated thumb injury he suffered in Week 8," the Ravens' head coach said in his statement. "Recovery timelines are challenging to predict, but injuries like this that require surgery typically take about 6-10 weeks to heal. He is doing everything he can to get back, and we will let his progress guide the timing of his return.
"We are committed to playing our best football over the second half of the season."
The thumb injury is Jackson's second this season that will force him to miss time. The two-time MVP missed three games earlier this year with an ankle injury. His thumb injury occurred on the first play of his Week 8 return from the ailing ankle. Baltimore placed Jackson on injured reserve on Nov. 5.
The Ravens' Week 9 game against the Jaguars was the first game Jackson missed due to his thumb injury. There is a chance he returns during the regular season, according to the recovery timeline Minter provided, but a postseason or 2027 return are more likely outcomes.
Ravens QB depth chart
- Jacoby Brissett
- Joe Fagnano
- Kedon Slovis
The Ravens' quarterback depth was pushed to its limit in Weeks 8 and 9. Jackson's thumb injury against the Bills preceded backup Tyler Huntley suffering a significant turf toe injury in the same game.
That set the stage for emergency third-string rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano's NFL debut. Fagnano made his first career start one week later. The Ravens did not officially trade for Brissett until after the "Thursday Night Football" game against the Jaguars despite earlier reports the move was being finalized.
Kedon Slovis was another recent addition to Baltimore's roster in the wake of Jackson and Huntley's injuries. The Ravens signed him to their active roster from the Packers' practice squad on Nov. 3.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Lamar Jackson return this year? Ravens HC shares recovery timeline
