Sunday night left a bitter feeling in Baltimore. The team not only suffered a surprising loss to the New England Patriots, but also watched Lamar Jackson leave the field before halftime. The Ravens’ franchise quarterback exited early and in visible pain, triggering alarms during a season already filled with obstacles.
Jackson left the game at the end of the second quarter after a short three-yard run in which a defender struck him with a knee to the back. The impact was clear. He stayed on the sideline for several minutes, showing discomfort, before heading to the locker room. The team ruled him out for the rest of the game. At that moment, Baltimore trailed 10–7, although the Ravens tied the score at 10 before halftime.
A season defined by hits and urgency
According to The Sports Rush, Jackson delivered a brief but efficient performance. He completed 7 of 10 passes for 101 yards and added two carries for seven yards. However, his absence changed the flow of the game and potentially the direction of the season. After the game, head coach John Harbaugh provided an update that raised more questions than answers.
“I think it’s some kind of bruise,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t know how serious it will be. We’ll find out in the next few days. He took a knee to the back.”
John Harbaugh on Lamar Jackson’s back injury: “It’s a bruise of some kind, I think. I don’t know how serious it will be. We’ll have to find out in the next couple of days. He got kneed in the back.”https://t.co/s2GIWO9ckB pic.twitter.com/UdHXw9WEww
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 22, 2025
Tyler Huntley took over the offense and responded well. He completed 9 of 10 passes for 65 yards. The Ravens appeared to regain control in the second half and built a 24–13 lead in the fourth quarter, fueled by Derrick Henry’s second touchdown. Still, the Patriots answered decisively. New England scored 15 unanswered points and completed a comeback that dropped Baltimore to a 7–8 record.
After the game, Jackson explained that the pain prevented him from returning, although he expressed optimism about playing in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI, which will determine the severity of the injury.
This incident adds to a long list of physical issues for the quarterback. Earlier in the season, he missed three games with a hamstring injury. Since then, he has dealt with ankle, toe, and knee problems, along with an illness. As the Ravens cling to their playoff hopes, every hit carries greater weight.
The upcoming matchup against the Packers, who enter with a 9-5-1 record, shapes up as a virtual elimination game. Jackson’s availability will dominate the week’s headlines. Baltimore needs its leader on the field to sustain a postseason dream that now hangs by a thread.
