The Baltimore Ravens were already fighting an uphill battle this season, but now, their biggest weapon might be out of action just when they need him most. Lamar Jackson’s hamstring injury, first suffered in Week 4, is proving more serious than expected, and the latest updates are raising alarms across the league.
The Ravens’ superstar quarterback missed practice for the second straight day, according to ESPN’s team reporter, Jamison Hensley. That absence alone was enough to fuel speculation, but new reports suggest Baltimore may have to survive without Jackson for more than one game.
Lamar Jackson Injury Leaves Baltimore Ravens’ Future Hanging in the Balance
Baltimore’s slow start has been one of the NFL’s early surprises. Sitting at 1-3 after a brutal opening stretch, the Ravens counted on Jackson to help turn things around. Instead, they’re now facing the possibility of a season-defining stretch without their MVP.
According to an article by PFSN’s Abhimanyu Choudhary, Jackson injured his hamstring during the Week 4 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and never returned to the game. Head coach John Harbaugh made it clear the decision was out of Jackson’s hands.
“There was no way he was going to go back in the game. The injury precluded it,” Harbaugh said. “If he could have gone in the game, he would have been in the game.”
Those comments underscore just how significant the injury is, and it appears the recovery could take longer than initially hoped. According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, Jackson is “not currently expected to play this Sunday vs. the Texans, nor next week vs. the Rams.”
#Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (hamstring) is not currently expected to play this Sunday vs the #Texans, nor next week vs the #Rams (outside of faster healing, which still can be deceptive). The bye week is after that. That’s a good safe window to help better ensure the hamstring issue… pic.twitter.com/G2KCwmeSNh
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 2, 2025
Jackson did not practice on Friday as well, and he is almost certain to not play in Week 5. “Ravens injuries linger, with no sign of Lamar Jackson or Kyle Hamilton today,” wrote Adam Schefter on X. “Another sign they’ll be out Sunday.”
That timeline conveniently aligns with Baltimore’s bye week, giving Jackson an extended recovery window. Still, it means the Ravens could enter Week 8 with a daunting 1-5 record, a hole few teams have successfully climbed out of.
Strategic Rest vs. Desperate Push: What Harbaugh Must Decide
The decision now facing the Ravens coaching staff is as strategic as medical. Pushing Jackson back too soon risks aggravating the injury and potentially costing them their most important player for the stretch run. But sitting him also means risking back-to-back losses that could cripple their playoff hopes.
MORE: How Long Will Lamar Jackson Be Out? Latest Injury Update on Ravens QB and When He’ll Return
Reports from the Baltimore Sun suggest the team is leaning toward caution. “Given the nature of the injury, he also could be out for up to 2–3 weeks,” wrote Brian Wacker. That timeline would sideline Jackson until after the bye, setting up a potential comeback in Week 8.
And there’s a silver lining. The Ravens’ schedule softens considerably after their bye: the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and Cleveland Browns are all winnable games. If Jackson returns healthy, Baltimore could still mount a serious playoff push, even from a 1-5 start.
The Road Ahead Could Define Baltimore’s Season
For now, the Ravens must prepare for life without their franchise quarterback, a scenario that could reshape the AFC playoff picture. Jackson, ranked the fifth-best quarterback in PFSN’s Impact Metric, is irreplaceable for his athleticism and ability to elevate everyone around him.
His absence may reveal just how dependent Baltimore has become on his brilliance. And if the Ravens can’t hold the line without him, the stakes of his eventual return will be higher than ever.
