17 games missed: Lamar Jackson's injury record is lower than peers despite high-profile absences

Lamar Jackson has missed 17 games to injury since 2019, a total that is lower than several other top-tier quarterbacks despite persistent questions about his durability. This count excludes absences due to illness or the pandemic. The figure places Jackson ahead of Kyler Murray, Dak Prescott, Daniel Jones, and Joe Burrow, who have missed 31, 26, 25, and 22 games respectively over the same period.

The current absence stems from a high ankle sprain sustained earlier this month against the Tennessee Titans. Jackson remained on the sideline for the latter part of that game with his gear on, signaling a potential return that did not materialize. He subsequently missed practice for two weeks and was ruled out for games against the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns.

Expectations for a return shifted rapidly during the previous week. The team believed Jackson would start against the Cincinnati Bengals. He participated in limited practice, joined first-team offense work on Friday, and attended television production meetings, a standard indicator for a starter. On Saturday, increased swelling in the ankle led to his designation as out, a development that caught the organization off guard.

Coach Jesse Minter described the initial injury as a minor issue, though he later clarified that the term was a slight mischaracterization. Sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson noted the shock within the organization when Jackson was ruled out. Jackson himself cited pain tolerance as the deciding factor, stating that he can play if he can tolerate the pain, but not if he is restricted in his movement.

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey defended Jackson’s track record, arguing that the quarterback receives unfair scrutiny. Humphrey stated that if Jackson is healthy enough to play, he will suit up. This sentiment counters the narrative that Jackson is the most injured quarterback in the league, a claim that the statistical record does not support.

The impact of these absences on the team's performance is measurable. In three seasons where Jackson missed at least four games, Baltimore failed to reach the playoffs in 2021 and 2025. This season began with Jackson ranking third in the league in QB rating at 82.7. Since the ankle sprain, the Ravens have fallen from first to last in the AFC North, dropping to a 4-3 record.

The team faces the Buffalo Bills, who hold a 5-1 record, in the coming week. Minter indicated that Jackson is in a decent health-wise position. The next step will be determining if the swelling subsides enough to allow him to plant his foot without pain, a test that has defined his return timeline in recent years.

Historical context shows a pattern of late-season setbacks. In 2021, an ankle bone bruise cost him the final four games. In 2022, a sprained PCL led to a missed wild-card game. In 2025, a hamstring injury resulted in three missed games and a perception that he never fully regained his form. Minter said the team will know when Jackson is ready by seeing him on the field.