The Baltimore Ravens are holding their breath after quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered a painful back injury during the 28-24 loss to the New England Patriots. With limited information and growing concern about the star quarterback’s availability, an NFL injury expert has shed some clarity on the matter. And it looks like the Week 16 health scare may wrap up Jackson’s season for good.

“Very painful there, a lot of intercostal muscles,” Pro Football doctor David J. Chao said on X. “It’s in the area probably below the typical flat jack where you call the floating, quote, floating ribs are…I don’t see how he can return if they can’t officially, if they can’t block it. So that’s where we’re at.”

According to Chao, Lamar Jackson‘s return may be out of the picture. He pointed to severe pain in the intercostal muscles, an area that usually has cartilage rather than bone, making a fracture less likely but not impossible. The doctor believes X-rays will help rule out major damage. Yet the bigger concern remains Jackson’s functionality, whether he can twist, throw, or run effectively. 

Chao noted the QB would likely require an intercostal or rib nerve block to numb the pain. The four-time Pro Bowl will need to opt for it even if the fracture is not present. However, considering how dynamic Jackson’s play style is, the doctor struggles to see how he can make a comeback. This back injury adds one more horrific chapter to an already injury-packed year for the Ravens’ quarterback. After the game, head coach John Harbaugh shared an update on the matter. 

“It’s a bruise of some kind, I think,” he said, via Around The NFL’s post on X. “I don’t know how serious it will be. We’ll have to find out in the next couple of days. He got kneed in the back.”

Lamar Jackson has battled hamstring, knee, ankle, and toe injuries. And now the back issue is here to haunt him. Here’s a look at what happened to the former first-round pick during a game that carried heavy playoff weight for the Ravens. 

Lamar Jackson hurts his back amid rising playoff stakes

Jackson suffered a health scare in the second quarter on what looked like a routine 3-yard run. As the quarterback took off, safety Craig Woodson’s knee landed squarely on the lower left side of his back. While the 28-year-old managed to hand the ball off on the very next play, his pain became unbearable. He left the game with less than two minutes left in the game’s first half.

John Harbaugh’s franchise earlier listed him as questionable to return but ultimately sidelined him late in the third quarter. Next, quarterback Tyler Huntley stepped in to steady the offense and completed 9 out of 10 passes for 65 yards. On the other hand, Jackson had thrown for 101 yards before his ultimate departure.

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His injury feels cruel, considering how carefully the Ravens have managed the player’s workload by reducing his rushing attempts. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers have improved to 9-6 after defeating the Detroit Lions. With just two games remaining, including one against the Steelers, the Ravens are on the brink of elimination from the AFC North title. In fact, they could be out of the playoff scene with either a loss next week or a Steelers win, per Yahoo Sports. 

With everything factored in, Lamar Jackson’s injury may not serve as a major blow to the Ravens’ already losing season. But of course, they won’t surrender until they are officially out.