Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson missed his first game of the 2025 season in Week 5 against the Houston Texans, a setback that led to a lopsided 44-10 defeat. The loss dropped Baltimore to a concerning 1-4 record, leaving the team in a difficult position in the AFC playoff race. Jackson’s absence showed how much the Ravens rely on their two-time NFL MVP, as the backup quarterback struggled to keep the team competitive.
Lamar Jackson Injury Update
The Ravens now face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 6, and with a Week 7 bye on the horizon, Jackson’s availability remains uncertain. While the team continues to monitor his recovery from a hamstring injury, there is a real possibility the Ravens may hold him out for another week to ensure a full recovery. This means he might miss the upcoming game against the Rams.
FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reported on the situation, stating, “I was told there’s an outside shot for next week, so they don’t want to shut it down yet. But the bye is coming after that, obviously. If they decide to (hold) him out next week, then they get three weeks of rest for him, but they’re not saying he’s out yet for next week.”
On Thursday, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport confirmed that Jackson is trending towards not playing in Week 6. Rapoport mentioned that Jackson has not practiced so far this week, and he will likely return after the Ravens’ bye week.
Jackson did not practice on Friday, and was officially ruled out for the Week 6 game against the Rams.
Once again, no Lamar Jackson at today’s practice, putting Cooper Rush in line to start Sunday vs. the Rams.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 10, 2025
The trouble for Ravens fans began in Week 4, when their team fell behind the Kansas City Chiefs. The situation worsened when backup quarterback Cooper Rush had to step in. Lamar Jackson sustained a hamstring strain in the third quarter, a tough injury that kept him out for the rest of that game.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh offered cautious optimism but declined to provide a specific timetable for Jackson’s return. “We’ll know more later this week,” Harbaugh said, noting the team returns to practice on Wednesday.
READ MORE: What Happened to Lamar Jackson? Revisiting the Ravens Star’s Injury and When He’ll Return
According to reports, Jackson missed all of practice last week after leaving the Week 4 loss to the Chiefs in the third quarter. Baltimore’s challenges were compounded by the fact that the team missed eight projected starters in the blowout loss to Houston.
As a result, Rush stepped in against the Texans but struggled mightily, finishing with just 179 passing yards and three interceptions. While Rush has shown flashes of competence in past seasons, the Week 5 outcome highlighted how difficult it is to replace a player of Jackson’s caliber.
NFL injury analyst David Chao offered his perspective on the injury, noting, “I think he’s out. How often do we see on a speed player a one-week hamstring strain? And I get it. The Ravens lost their one and four. Get it.”
Despite the uncertainty, Jackson’s career stats remain impressive. According to PFSN’s Quarterback Impact (QBi) metrics, Jackson has an 86.6 QB Impact Score with a B grade, ranking seventh in the 2025 season through Week 5. In the four games he started this season, he has completed 68 of 95 pass attempts for a 71.6% completion rate, throwing for 869 yards and ten touchdowns with just one interception. Jackson has also rushed 21 times on the ground for 166 yards and one touchdown.
The Ravens’ Week 6 matchup against the Rams will be critical. Even if Jackson remains sidelined, the team must find ways to compensate for their defensive struggles. Rams coach Sean McVay confirmed they are preparing for every scenario, whether they face Jackson or a backup. Ultimately, holding Jackson out until after the Week 7 bye could allow him three weeks to recover, potentially letting him return at full strength for Week 8.