Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson believes he can return at some point this season after suffering a fractured and dislocated right thumb last week that requires surgery, sources told ESPN's Ian Rapoport.
Jackson told teammates within 24 hours of sustaining the injury that he plans to make a comeback this year, delivering a message along the lines of "just stay alive," Rapoport adds.
The quarterback's recovery time is projected to be around six to nine weeks, according to Rapoport. Jackson suffered the injury on the Ravens' first offensive play in Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills, and that game marked his return to the field after missing the previous three contests with a high ankle sprain.
Jacoby Brissett, whom the Ravens acquired in a trade from the Arizona Cardinals earlier this week, is projected to be the team's starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. Jackson's backup, Tyler Huntley, was placed on injured reserve with a toe injury he sustained after replacing Jackson in Week 8.
Brissett was benched midway through Arizona's 33-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys last week. Gardner Minshew replaced the struggling Brissett and led the Cardinals to a comeback win after they fell behind 24-10 in the fourth quarter.
The Ravens started undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano during Thursday night's 33-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He ultimately struggled, completing just 10 of 18 passes for 60 yards with two interceptions.
Jackson has only started and finished four contests this season. Baltimore is 1-4 without him at quarterback. Since Week 5, the offense ranks 25th in success rate and 31st in EPA/play, according to TruMedia.
The Ravens sit last in the AFC North with a 4-5 record. They face the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football in Week 10.
