Lamar Jackson: Why He’s Not Playing | Did He Get Injured? When Did He Get Hurt?

Lamar Jackson’s status as one of the NFL’s most electrifying quarterbacks has been a major talking point in the 2025 season. Once considered a lock for MVP contention and a leader of one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, Jackson’s year has been derailed by multiple injuries and limited availability. This article breaks down why he’s not playing, whether he’s injured, when he got hurt, and what it means for the Ravens as they head into a critical stretch of the season.

1. Lamar Jackson’s 2025 Injury History: A Rough Season for the Ravens’ Star

The 2025 season began with high expectations for Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens — but injuries have repeatedly interrupted his rhythm.

Hamstring Injury in Week 4
The first major injury setback came in Week 4 of the NFL season when Jackson left the Ravens’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a hamstring strain. He had been performing well before exiting due to tightness in the hamstring, an injury that has plagued many athletes all season. 

He missed multiple games after that hamstring strain, with the Ravens officially ruling him out of Week 8 against the Chicago Bears — meaning he missed three consecutive games due to that hamstring issue. 

Returning to Play – Then More Setbacks
After his absence, Jackson returned in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins, throwing four touchdown passes in a dominant 28-6 win, displaying his elite abilities once again. 

However, his season continued to be inconsistent with missed practices due to soreness (including a knee issue) which affected his consistency and performance. 

2. Latest Injury: Back Injury in Week 16 (Dec 21, 2025)

The most recent and breaking news is that Lamar Jackson left the Ravens’ Week 16 Sunday Night Football game against the New England Patriots with a back injury. He exited in the second quarter after taking a hit during a running play and was ruled out of the remainder of the game. 

This back issue is separate from earlier hamstring problems and has sparked fresh concern among fans and analysts about his durability and the Ravens’ playoff hopes. 

Key details:

• Game: Ravens vs. Patriots (Week 16)

• Injury: Back injury sustained during a running play

• Status: Exited early, ruled out for remainder of game

• Replaced by: Backup QB Tyler Huntley

• Team Impact: Baltimore lost the game 28-24, putting pressure on playoff qualifications.

3. Why Is Lamar Jackson Not Playing?

There are two main reasons Lamar Jackson is not playing at various points this season:

A. Ongoing Injury Management

Throughout the 2025 season, Jackson has had:

• Hamstring issues that caused multi-game absences

• Missed practices due to soreness (including knee and general fatigue)

• Back injury in the latest game that forced him out early
  These recurring issues limit his practice reps and game availability. 

B. Team Decisions to Protect Long-Term Health

At times, the Ravens have opted to hold him out of games entirely, rather than rushing him back prematurely. A notable example is when he was listed as a full participant in practice but was ultimately ruled inactive for a game due to lingering hamstring concerns. 

While not every absence is explained in detail, the cumulative effect of these injuries means the Ravens have to balance short-term wins with Jackson’s long-term health.

4. When Exactly Did Lamar Jackson Get Hurt?

Timeline of Major Injury Events in 2025

This sequence shows how recurring injuries, even if not all serious individually, have compounded to reduce Jackson’s effectiveness and availability across the season.

5. Impact on the Ravens’ 2025 Season

A. Offense Without Jackson

When Jackson misses games, the Ravens offense struggles to hit the same level of efficiency:

• They scored only 13 points in the Week 8 game without him. 

• Backup quarterback play has provided mixed results and forced adjustments.

B. Playoff Implications

With Jackson’s health in flux and Baltimore’s record sitting in the middle of the playoff hunt, every game counts. The back injury adds uncertainty to the final stretch, making every decision about his status crucial for the Ravens’ postseason hopes.

6. What Are Analysts Saying?

NFL insiders are worried that:

• Jackson’s running style makes him more prone to injuries over time.

• Frequent missed practices create rhythm issues and limit effectiveness.

• The back injury is a new curveball late in the season.

Fans and fantasy players alike are debating whether Baltimore should prioritize securing a playoff spot or protect Jackson’s health for the future.

FAQs About Lamar Jackson’s Injury and Availability

1. Is Lamar Jackson injured right now?

Yes — he exited the Week 16 game on Dec 21, 2025, with a back injury and did not return, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming games. 

2. When did Lamar Jackson get hurt?

The most recent injury happened on Dec 21, 2025 against the Patriots, when he exited due to a back issue in the second quarter. 

3. Has Jackson missed games this season due to injury?

Yes — earlier in 2025, a hamstring strain in Week 4 caused him to miss multiple games. 

4. Why hasn’t Lamar Jackson been playing in some games?

It’s a mix of injury management (hamstring, back, soreness) and team decisions to avoid rushing him back before he’s fully ready. 

5. Who replaces Lamar Jackson when he doesn’t play?

Backup quarterbacks like Tyler “Snoop” Huntley and Cooper Rush have stepped in when Jackson is unavailable. 

6. Will Jackson miss more games?

As of now, the back injury is fresh and there’s no official long-term timeline. Future updates from Ravens medical staff will determine how long he’s out.

Final Takeaway — Lamar Jackson’s 2025 Injury Reality

Lamar Jackson’s status in 2025 has been shaped by a string of injuries, with a hamstring strain early in the season and a new back injury most recently. These physical setbacks — combined with cautious team management — have limited his playing time and impacted the Ravens’ offensive consistency.

Whether he returns quickly or misses further games will depend on how the back injury heals. One thing is clear: Jackson remains a pivotal part of Baltimore’s offense, and his availability will continue to be a major story through the end of the season.