Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (back) exits early in loss to Patriots

Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson departed Sunday night’s 28-24 loss to the visiting New England Patriots in the second quarter due to a back injury.

The Ravens (7-8) formally ruled out Jackson late in the third quarter.

“It’s a bruise of some kind, I think,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said after the game. “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.”

Jackson appeared to sustain the injury on Baltimore’s first play after the two-minute warning. He was running with the ball and went down awkwardly as New England safety Craig Woodson closed in to make the tackle.

“I gave myself up, and I got kneed in the back,” Jackson said after the game.

Jackson remained in the game for one more play — a handoff — before exiting with 1:16 remaining.

He appeared both frustrated and physically uncomfortable as cameras caught him underneath the stands walking to the Ravens’ locker room to be examined.

Jackson said after the game that he tried to return to play but it hurt to throw the ball to a trainer at halftime.

“I’m mad because I felt like the game was in our favor,” Jackson said.

Tyler Huntley replaced Jackson and guided Baltimore to a third-quarter touchdown and another early in the fourth as the Ravens seized a 24-13 lead. However, the Patriots (12-3) scored the last two touchdowns of the game for the comeback victory.

Jackson completed 7 of 10 passes for 101 yards and rushed for 7 yards on two carries before his departure. Huntley finished 9-for-10 for 65 yards.

A two-time NFL MVP, three-time first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, Jackson has battled injuries most of this season, including to his hamstring, knee, ankle and toe.

Jackson, 28, said he wants to play Saturday when the Ravens visit the Green Bay Packers.

“Yeah, that’s the goal,” Jackson said. “We’re going to do a little (MRI) scan (on Monday) and then see what it shows.”

New England lost rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson due to a head injury in the second quarter. He had five carries for 3 yards.

Henderson rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns in a home loss to the Buffalo Bills last week. On Nov. 9, Henderson rushed for 147 yards and two scores in a road win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

–Field Level Media