Lamar Jackson may have played his final game for the Baltimore Ravens but head coach Jesse Minter has vowed his team will “do everything in our power to keep rolling” without their star quarterback.

Jackson’s return from a high ankle sprain that had sidelined him for three games was supposed to galvanise the Ravens but he lasted just one snap against the Buffalo Bills before leaving the field with a badly damaged thumb on his throwing hand.

He did not return and the Ravens capitulated, losing 36-10.

It remains unknown whether Jackson broke or dislocated his thumb but Minter admitted it was “potentially” a season-ending injury. Having been placed on injured reserve, he is definitely out of the next four games.

And with Jackson failing to agree a contract extension in the offseason, there is a definite chance he will be traded in 2027, bringing an end to his nine-year spell in Baltimore.

The Ravens started the season as second favourites to win the Super Bowl but, at 4-4, their season is on the brink.

“We’ll do everything in our power to keep rolling, to keep this thing going, to get it back on the right side with whatever that looks like and whoever that’s playing,” said Minter. 

“It’s definitely my job to make sure that we stay together, that we don’t point fingers, that we have each other’s back, that we believe in the next man up mentality. It’s what we’ve talked about a lot. And sometimes that happens and sometimes it doesn’t. So we got to really, really just pour into the belief and believe in the guys that we have and move forward.”

Ravens have serious QB issues

It is not certain who the next man up will be at QB.

Jackson’s back-up Tyler Huntley left the game in the second quarter and did not return due to a toe injury. Third-choice Joe Fagnano stepped in and threw 10-of-21 passes for 91 yards and one interception but was also hit by Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver.

Minter is confident Fagnano will play Thursday against the Jacksonville Jaguars if Huntley is ruled out.

The Ravens are 7-14 since 2019 in games Jackson has not started and, this season, have managed just six touchdowns in 18 quarters without the two-time NFL MVP.

“When your back’s against the wall and stuff starts hitting the fan, you really find out what this team is made of and certain players are made of,” right tackle Roger Rosengarten said.