Lamar Jackson Injury Update: Hamstring strain fuels benching rumors but coach says no

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson left last week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with a hamstring injury and did not return. Head coach John Harbaugh said Jackson was physically unable to play and was not benched for performance. Reports now indicate he may miss at least one game while recovering.

The situation matters for the 1–3 Ravens as they try to stop a slow start. Baltimore prepared for this scenario by adding veteran backup Cooper Rush in the offseason. Tyler Huntley also remains on the roster as insurance.

Current status and injury details

Jackson exited in the third quarter after being sacked and was seen stretching his right leg on the sideline. Harbaugh confirmed after the game that Jackson “couldn’t go back in no matter the score.” That directly shuts down rumors of a benching. Early medical evaluations point to a hamstring strain that needs rest before any return to play.

Local and national reports suggest Jackson will likely miss the Week 5 matchup against the Houston Texans. Depending on how the injury responds, he could be out two to three weeks. The Ravens have a Week 7 bye, which could influence the decision to rest him longer for safety. Fantasy managers should plan for at least one game without him.

Medical experts note that hamstring strains can be tricky. Returning too soon can risk re-injury, especially for a mobile quarterback. The team will likely watch practice participation and speed drills closely before clearing him.

Why the “nobody wanted Lamar” story resurfaced

Some fans have linked Jackson’s exit to past debates about his contract. In 2023, the Ravens used a nonexclusive franchise tag, allowing other teams to negotiate. No other franchise signed him to an offer sheet. That led to speculation about league collusion on fully guaranteed quarterback deals. An independent arbitrator later said there was not enough proof of collusion.

Ultimately, Baltimore signed Jackson to a five-year, $260 million contract with $185 million guaranteed. The team also invested in backup depth to avoid a repeat of past seasons where Jackson’s injuries derailed playoff hopes. Today’s issue is medical, not market demand.

Bottom line: Lamar Jackson was not benched. He is dealing with a hamstring strain, and early reports say he could miss Week 5 and possibly more. Baltimore’s depth at quarterback is ready if needed, and the team may use the Week 7 bye to help his recovery.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Was Lamar Jackson benched?

No. Coach John Harbaugh said the hamstring injury made it impossible for him to return.

Q2: How long might he miss?

Reports suggest he will likely miss Week 5 and could be sidelined two to three weeks depending on recovery.

Q3: Who will start if he’s out?

Veteran Cooper Rush is expected to start, with Tyler Huntley as backup.

Q4: Is there proof of collusion against Jackson?

No. An arbitrator said there wasn’t enough evidence that teams acted together on guaranteed contracts.

Q5: Should fantasy players bench him?

Yes, plan for at least one missed game and look for streaming options until his return is confirmed.