'Just stay alive': Lamar Jackson tells teammates he plans to return this season

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson left the Week 8 contest against the Buffalo Bills with a thumb injury, but there may be hope on the horizon.

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Jackson quickly reassured his teammates after suffering the thumb injury against the Bills, telling them he fully expects to return before the season ends and urging them to keep the team afloat in the meantime.

Baltimore's season hinges on surviving without its MVP

"Just stay alive" was the paraphrase of Jackson's message to the Ravens,  Rapoport indicated. 

Jackson is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks, though his rehabilitation could extend closer to the nine-week mark. 

"Jackson is undergoing surgery to repair a fractured and dislocated thumb on his right hand, sources said," via Rapoport. "Jackson was placed on injured reserve this week, but he has not been ruled out for the regular season and, in his words to teammates, the two-time MVP believes he can return." 

Jacoby Brissett tasked with keeping Ravens afloat until Lamar Jackson's return 

The Ravens finalized a trade on Friday for Jacoby Brissett, trading a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 seventh-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals. 

Brissett is expected to start against the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football" on Nov. 16. The move to secure Brissett, coupled with Jackson's desire to return, indicates hope is still alive in Charm City.  

Jackson could be back by early January. The Ravens (4-5) have their bye upcoming in Week 13.

The Ravens' challenge is straightforward: remain in the playoff hunt long enough for Jackson to return.

Marlon Humphrey: Lamar Jackson faces unfair criticism 

Baltimore's 3-1 start was fueled in large part by Jackson's efficient play under center. He eclipsed 300 passing yards against Indianapolis and added 186- and 222-yard performances against Dallas and Tennessee, respectively. During that stretch, Jackson completed 70.1 percent of his passes, recorded a 118.4 passer rating and maintained a stellar 6:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

"It seems like Lamar's the only quarterback that kind of gets the slander that he gets for anytime anything is going on," Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey said earlier in November, via Jamison Hensley of ESPN. "I feel like you just don't see these same articles, and you don't see these same headlines. I think it's unfair treatment.

"I just feel like it goes -- sometimes it seems like it gets away from -- I don't know if it's because of lack of agent or what, that no one can kind of defend him. I do know this: If Lamar Jackson can play, if he's healthy enough to play, he will play."