Lamar Jackson Ruled Out Against Bills After Ankle Swelling

Lamar Jackson will not start for the Baltimore Ravens against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The team ruled him out on Saturday due to increased swelling in his left ankle, a decision that ended speculation about his imminent return. Jackson had been a limited participant in practice throughout the week and joined first-team offense sessions on Friday, which typically signals a starting role.

The injury occurred earlier this month during a win over the Tennessee Titans, when his ankle bent awkwardly. Although he remained on the field with his gear on, he did not return to the game. Since then, he has missed two weeks of practice and was ruled out for games against the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns. Last week, the team believed he could play against the Cincinnati Bengals, but new swelling forced a change in plans.

Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson noted via social media that the news "came as a shock to the Ravens" that Jackson could not go. Head coach Jesse Minter later clarified that this characterization was "a little bit" off. In his first comments since the injury, Jackson said the decision to sit is based on pain tolerance. "If I can just go out there and feel the pain a little bit, I can play," he said. "But [if] I'm restricted and I can't do what I do, [then] I'm not helping [anybody]."

Jackson's absences have had a direct impact on the team's standing. Baltimore fell from first place in the AFC North to last in the division following the sprain. The Ravens are currently 4-3, while the Bills are 5-1. Before the injury, Jackson was an MVP candidate, ranking third in QB rating at 82.7 with six touchdowns, one interception, and a quarterback-best 144 rushing yards through four games.

This is the fourth season in the past six where Jackson has missed multiple games due to injury. Since 2019, he has missed 17 games to injury, excluding illness and COVID-19. That total is lower than peers such as Kyler Murray, Dak Prescott, Daniel Jones, and Joe Burrow. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey said earlier this month that Jackson gets unfair treatment, stating, "If Lamar Jackson can play, if he's healthy enough to play, he will play."

Minter said Jackson is in a "decent spot" health-wise ahead of the matchup in Buffalo. The Ravens will determine his status for future games as he continues to manage the high ankle sprain. The team aims to return him to the field once he can perform without restriction.

Jackson's injury history includes a right ankle bone bruise in December 2021 and a PCL sprain in December 2022. In both instances, he missed the final stretch of the regular season. A hamstring injury in late September 2025 also caused him to miss three games. Minter said the team will know when Jackson is ready, noting, "he'll be on the field, and everybody will know when that is."