No one would have anticipated that a Week 4 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs would be a matchup of two 1-2 teams trying to avoid a disastrous start to the season. However, that is exactly the scenario that unfolded in a puzzling start to the 2025 NFL season.
With two of the powerhouses of the AFC going to battle, fans may have been expecting an instant classic. Instead, it was Kansas City looking like world beaters as they demolished the Ravens 30-13 heading into the fourth quarter. But for Baltimore, the game may have brought a bigger problem, with superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson sitting down before the final period.
What Happened to Lamar Jackson?
A two-time MVP and the greatest dual-threat quarterback the league has ever seen, Jackson was having a rough game against the Chiefs. A team that he has historically struggled against once again gave him problems.
But before the fourth quarter could get underway, fans received a gut-wrenching update about one of the most prolific players of the sport. Rather than Jackson, Cooper Rush would be taking the field for the Ravens, as Jackson’s hamstring was tended to by the medical staff.
Lamar Jackson (hamstring) is questionable to return, per @tracywolfson pic.twitter.com/FPKilfSoTB
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 28, 2025
James Palmer of The Athletic confirmed on X, “Lamar Jackson has a hamstring injury and is questionable to return. This is unreal what is going on in Baltimore,” as the live broadcast made the situation clear.
A big worry for Jackson early in his career was his health. Thanks to a lean and lanky frame, along with his propensity for taking off on the run, concerns about potential injuries were understandable.
However, rather than hard tackles, sacks may have been Jackson’s nemesis this season. Throughout his career, Jackson has been sacked less than twice a game. That number took a dramatic swing this season, as he was sacked 12 times through three games, including an unprecedented seven sacks against the Detroit Lions in Week 3.
This week, too, the situation did not get much better. Sacked three more times, that would bring his number up to 15, with an average of close to four sacks a game. That kind of wear and tear isn’t sustainable for any quarterback.
Jackson’s Fantasy Outlook
The hits keep on coming in 2025. We’ve seen about 20% of the starting QBs miss some time. Jackson relies heavily on his mobility. A hamstring strain is far more problematic for Jackson than your average pocket passer.
There is certainly an element of “the game is probably over, so let’s not push it” with Jackson here. But if he were fully healthy, he’d be in the game. Cooper Rush is a capable backup, but he’s obviously nowhere near the player Jackson is.
This is a major downgrade for all Ravens pass catchers, except perhaps Mark Andrews. Rush is not going to be scrambling. So, it’s possible the tight end sees a bit more in terms of checkdowns, as Rush is not exactly going to be pushing the ball downfield. But for Zay Flowers, he goes from a weekly WR2 to a random WR3 for as long as Jackson is out.
The two-time MVP was having a rough game Saturday, but was largely his usual self through the first three weeks. Jackson’s 91.7 QB Impact Grade ranked fourth through Week 3.
Rush is one of the more experienced backups in the league and gives Baltimore a decent option should Jackson miss time with his hamstring. Rush had a rough season in relief of Dak Prescott last year (65.9 QB Impact grade ranked 35th), but was more productive in 2022 with a better supporting cast (average grade of 71.8 across six games).
The hope would be that a strong Derrick Henry-led ground game and relatively deep pass-catching corps could help paper over a short-term absence.
