Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Ravens HC dismisses theory about Lamar Jackson's injury

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Sep 29, 2025 4:46 PM ET

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson exited Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs because of a hamstring injury. But would he have played through pain had the game been closer?

It's unclear when the injury occurred, but Jackson's final play of the contest was when he scrambled and was sacked by defensive end George Karlaftis with 8:10 left in the third quarter (via Ryan Mink of the team website). On the next drive, the Chiefs scored a field goal to take a 30-13 lead, putting the game out of reach.

After the 37-20 loss, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh didn't say whether Jackson would've returned if the game had been closer. On Monday, he clarified that he wouldn't have.

John Harbaugh insists Lamar Jackson couldn't return to game

"There was no way he was gonna go back in the game. The injury precluded it," Harbaugh said. "I know Lamar. If he could've gone in the game, he would've been in the game. That's how he is. But I can assure you he wouldn't have been able to go back in the game under any circumstance."

"There was no way Lamar was going back into the game. The injury precluded it." pic.twitter.com/N7Al4op7Gp
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 29, 2025

Jackson, 28, didn't look healthy after the hit. On his X account, ESPN NFL reporter Jeff Darlington wrote he saw Jackson limp to the team buses after the game, and the exit was more "than precautionary."

Watching Lamar slowly limp to the team busses after the game, I’d have a hard time believing he could have entered the game, even if it was closer. Not to suggest any level of seriousness… but his exit was clearly more than precautionary. https://t.co/yIEi2FwQdT
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) September 29, 2025

Harbaugh didn't provide any more details about Jackson's status. Hamstring injuries typically last a couple of weeks, depending on their severity.

Jackson's murky status heading into Week 5 against the Houston Texans (1-3) adds to the Ravens' growing list of problems. Baltimore fell to 1-3 on Sunday and has several other stars who have suffered injuries.

Jackson's play has been one of few positives for the Ravens. Through four games, the two-time MVP leads the league in touchdown passes (10) and ranks fifth in QBR (72.5).

Jackson would play if he were 100%. But it sounds like he may not be, creating more cause for concern in Baltimore.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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