Lamar Jackson: One play, one surgery, and a rookie QB debut

36-10. That was the final score when the Baltimore Ravens fell to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Orchard Park, New York, a result that overshadowed the more immediate crisis on the sideline. Lamar Jackson suffered a right thumb injury on Baltimore’s first offensive play and will undergo surgery before joining injured reserve, head coach Jesse Minter confirmed after the game. The injury effectively ended Jackson’s brief return from a three-and-a-half-game absence, as he played on only one snap before leaving the field.

Jackson entered the game with the Ravens trailing 7-0 after Buffalo’s opening drive. On the first play from scrimmage, he dropped back in play action and was hit while throwing an incomplete pass. He immediately checked his hand, walked to the sideline, and eventually entered the locker room. The team initially listed him as questionable but ruled him out approximately 15 minutes later. Minter described the situation as a surgery deal that would send Jackson to IR, adding that the quarterback could potentially miss the rest of the season.

The quarterback position suffered further damage late in the first quarter. Backup Tyler Huntley replaced Jackson but sustained a right toe injury, forcing undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano into his NFL regular-season debut. Fagnano completed his first NFL snap, a 15-yard pass to fellow rookie Josh Cuevas. Despite the offensive struggles, Baltimore’s defense created scoring opportunities. Broderick Washington Jr. intercepted a Josh Allen pass for his first career pick, and Derrick Henry followed with a 2-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 10-7.

Buffalo regained the lead after a fumble by Huntley was recovered by Kaleb Elarms-Orr for a field goal. The Ravens missed a 34-yard field goal attempt by Tyler Loop that hit the left upright. Before halftime, Roquan Smith punched away an Allen pass intended for DJ Moore, and T.J. Tampa recovered the fumble. However, Fagnano’s next pass was tipped and intercepted by Davidson Igbinosun, leading to a Buffalo field goal and a 16-7 halftime lead.

Baltimore scored a short field goal early in the third quarter to narrow the gap, but James Cook answered with a 5-yard touchdown run for a 23-10 lead. Allen later connected with Moore for an 11-yard score in the fourth quarter, extending the advantage to 36-10. The loss drops the Ravens to 4-4, marking their third consecutive defeat and leaving them in last place in their division. The team now faces the 5-2 Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night, likely with Fagnano at quarterback. Minter praised the rookie’s performance given the short preparation time and noted the team will use the short week to assess its available options.