Lamar Jackson Injury Update, Rumors on Timeline to Return amid Ravens' Playoff Push

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson may return for the team's finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters Monday that Jackson's status for Week 18 is "to be determined."

Jackson suffered a back injury during his team's 28-24 home loss to the New England Patriots on Dec. 21. After the game, Harbaugh spoke with reporters.

"It's a bruise of some kind, I think. I don't know how serious it'll be," Harbaugh said in part (h/t Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk). "We'll have to find out in the next couple of days. He got kneed in the back on the ground there."

Jackson didn't practice all week and missed Saturday's 41-24 win over the Green Bay Packers.

▶️ Full Ravens-Packers Recap

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This has been a difficult year for Jackson, who entered this season off back-to-back Associated Press NFL All-Pro First Team honors. Jackson accounted for 74 touchdowns (65 passing, nine rushing) over 2023 and 2024.

This season, Jackson had 20 touchdowns (18 passing, two rushing) in 12 games. He missed three contests due to a hamstring injury suffered in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

He's still among the top passers in the league. Entering Week 17, Jackson was sixth in quarterback rating and 11th in QBR, per Pro Football Reference. He had completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 2,311 yards (8.1 yards per attempt), 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 340 yards and two scores.

Baltimore has been exceptional overall since Jackson took over as the team's starter during his rookie season in 2018, going 76-30 in his starts and making the playoffs five times (four AFC North titles).

Playoff success has been a bit elusive, with the Ravens making the AFC Championship Game just once (a 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023) in those five seasons. Still, Jackson has been tremendous for Baltimore after a stellar career at Louisville, which included a Heisman Trophy.

Having him back would obviously be a boost for Baltimore's slim postseason hopes, but his Week 18 status could prove irrelevant from that standpoint.

The Steelers will clinch the AFC North by beating the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.