The Ravens are looking to make a strong playoff push to close the 2022 NFL season, but they may have to do so without Lamar Jackson.
Baltimore's star quarterback is dealing with a knee injury that knocked him out of the Ravens' Week 13 win over the Broncos. The Ravens had to use backup Tyler Huntley to finish that game, and they may have to rely on him as the regular season winds down, too.
The Ravens are in the thick of the AFC playoff race and are engaged in a battle with the Bengals for the AFC North crown. Having Jackson healthy and available would certainly help them in that quest, so Baltimore fans are going to be eagerly awaiting news about the extent of his injury.
Just how long is Jackson going to be sidelined? Here's what to know about the length of his potential absence from the Ravens.
MORE: Ravens prevail over Broncos in Week 13 as both teams struggle on offense
How long is Lamar Jackson out?
Jackson is expected to be out "days to weeks" as a result of his injury, as Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters after the Ravens' 10-9 win over the Broncos.
"It's not a season-ending type of knee," he said of Jackson's injury. "We'll get more tests tomorrow to let you know how long it's gonna be. . . It's gonna be a number. Day to weeks. We'll see if he can go back this week. If not, it'll be sometime after that shortly."
That initial timeline was vague, but Harbaugh did give a slightly more definitive answer on Friday. Jackson was downgraded to doubtful on the injury report, and Harbaugh said it "looks like it's going to be Tyler Huntley" Sunday vs. the Steelers.
Indeed, Huntley did get the start in Week 14, as Jackson was declared out for the game. And ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Jackson could be sidelined longer.
Jackson has a sprained PCL, per Schefter, which typically sidelines players for one to three weeks. Still, Schefter believes Jackson may miss just two games, though the impact of the injury may last longer than that.
Jackson's most realistic return date, as of Sunday, would be Baltimore's Saturday afternoon game on Christmas Eve against the Falcons, according to sources. There also is a strong chance Jackson will not be at full strength for the rest of the regular season, at least.
Certainly, that's less than ideal for the Ravens. Still, Baltimore fans will take comfort in knowing that their quarterback should have a chance to return this season, barring a setback.
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What is Lamar Jackson's injury?
Jackson suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson suffered a sprained PCL during Sunday’s win over the Denver Broncos, per league sources. PCL injuries often sideline players 1-to-3 weeks and Ravens’ HC John Harbaugh already has said Jackson is “less likely” to play Sunday vs. the Steelers. pic.twitter.com/4ra4KDuUdQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 6, 2022
That's close to a best-case scenario for the Ravens when it comes to knee injuries, as an MCL or ACL issue would have sidelined the quarterback for a much longer period.
As it stands, it appears likely Baltimore will get Jackson back in the near term. It's just a matter of whether he will be at full strength for the rest of the regular season.
MORE: John Harbaugh provides update on Lamar Jackson's knee injury
Lamar Jackson injury timeline
Jackson first suffered a knee injury during the Ravens' 10-9 victory over the Broncos in Week 13. It appeared to occur after he was sacked by Denver pass rusher Jonathon Cooper on the final play of the fourth quarter.
— highlight heaven (@lowdarkhell) December 4, 2022
Jackson exited the field as a result of the injury and received medical treatment on the sideline before heading back to the locker room. Tyler Huntley replaced him beginning with the first play of the second quarter.
While Jackson was originally deemed questionable to return because of the injury, he was ruled out for the game at halftime.
Jackson had appeared on the injury report in each of the three weeks leading up to Week 13 with a variety of maladies. In Week 11, he dealt with an illness; he had a hip issue in Week 12; and in Week 13, he missed a practice session early in the week with a quad problem.
Now, the beat-up Ravens starter can add a knee ailment to that list.
MORE: Michigan's Jim Harbaugh shuts down speculation of NFL return
Lamar Jackson injury updates
Dec. 11: Schefter reports that Jackson's most likely return date from his injury is Baltimore's Christmas Eve game against the Falcons. However, there are questions about whether Jackson will be fully healthy at any point during the regular season.
Dec. 11: Jackson is declared out against the Steelers and is rendered inactive. Anthony Brown is called up from the practice squad to back up Tyler Huntley, who will start in place of Jackson.
Dec. 9: John Harbaugh tells reporters it "looks like it's going to be Tyler Huntley" starting for the Ravens Sunday against the Steelers. Jackson was officially moved to "doubtful" on the injury report.
Dec. 6: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Jackson has a sprained PCL and likely will miss one to three weeks.
Dec. 5: John Harbaugh says that Jackson is "week to week" and says that the quarterback playing in Week 14 would be "less likely."
Dec. 5: Rapoport reports that the Ravens believe Jackson's knee sprain is "mild" and that the team is hopeful that he will only have to miss one game. The Ravens are, however, awaiting the result of Jackson's MRI.
Dec. 5: The Ravens sign veteran quarterback Brett Hundley, presumably to back up Tyler Huntley in the event that Jackson misses time.
Dec. 5: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Jackson has a knee sprain and that the team is in "wait and see" mode regarding his status. He also reports that the quarterback is having an MRI Monday to reveal the extent of the damage.
Dec. 4: Coach John Harbaugh announces that Jackson's injury is not expected to be season-ending. Instead, he says that Jackson will be out "days to weeks," and wouldn't rule him out of the team's upcoming Week 14 game against the Steelers.
Dec. 4: Jackson suffers a knee injury in the Ravens' Week 13 game against the Broncos. He is initially ruled questionable to return to the contest, but he is declared out at halftime.
