Ravens QB Robert Griffin III Expected to Miss 4-8 Weeks with Thumb Injury

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III suffered a thumb injury after he hit his hand on a helmet during Saturday's practice, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.

Hensley noted that the veteran signal-caller has already undergone an X-ray, though the results of the test were not initially made public.

Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic later reported Griffin has a small fracture in his thumb. ESPN's Adam Schefter added Griffin III is expected to miss four-to-eight weeks.

Griffin signed with the Ravens in April 2018 after being out of the league in 2017. He spent last season backing up veteran Joe Flacco and then rookie Lamar Jackson. Griffin wound up making three appearances in 2018, going 2-of-6 for 21 yards.

Though he barely saw the field last year, the veteran embraced his role as a mentor to Jackson, a fellow Heisman Trophy winner. Jackson called Griffin his "brother" Saturday when asked about the injury.

As Flacco is now with the Denver Broncos, Griffin is second on the depth chart.

"I'm happy to be here, I'm excited to be here, I love this place, I love this organization," Griffin told Clifton Brown the Ravens' official site last month. "They've treated me well. I have bigger goals in mind, and those goals start with the Baltimore Ravens. So I have to make sure I do everything I can to be the best for the Baltimore Ravens."

That said, the 2012 Pro Bowler still has aspirations of being a starting NFL quarterback.

"My ultimate goal is to become a franchise quarterback," Griffin added, per Brown. "At 29, I believe that's still attainable. But that's going to come from the work, making the most of all opportunities. I feel like I'm a better quarterback than I've ever been. If called upon, I can't wait to showcase it."

He now finds himself dealing with adversity, though, just over one month before the 2019 season kicks off.