Lamar Jackson's Thumb Injury Triggers $84.34 Million Salary Cap Crisis

Lamar Jackson suffered a right thumb injury during a pass play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, forcing him to miss the remainder of the game. He was placed on injured reserve after the Baltimore Ravens lost 36 to 10. The injury ended a return from a three-game absence caused by a high ankle sprain. Jackson requires surgery and is out indefinitely, with the injury potentially ending his season.

The physical setback complicates a complex financial situation. Jackson is in the fourth year of a five-year contract that pays him $52 million per year, making him the NFL's highest-paid player. His 2027 salary is $84.34 million, consisting of a $51.25 million base salary and a $750,000 workout bonus. This 2027 figure is unsecured and trails only Patrick Mahomes' $90.35 million cap number. The contract includes a no-trade clause and prevents the Ravens from using franchise or transition tags when it expires.

The financial strain is evident in the team's ledger. Baltimore carries an NFL-high $366.74 million in commitments for 45 players in 2027. The projected salary cap for that year ranges between $322.5 million and $327.5 million. Owner Steve Bisciotti sought an extension before the 2026 league year began in March. However, reports indicate Jackson, who represents himself, was the hold-up. The Ravens restructured his deal to create $39.96 million in 2026 cap room by adding a voiding 2030 year for bonus proration.

Durability concerns have grown over the past two seasons. Jackson has dealt with hamstring, ankle, toe, knee, back, and thumb injuries in 2025 and 2026. If his season is over, he will have played only 18 of a possible 34 games in that span. Before the ankle injury, the two-time MVP was performing well under offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. He completed 70.8% of his passes for six touchdowns and one interception, posting a 119.6 passer rating.

Precedent suggests injuries do not always block major contracts. Kansas City reworked Patrick Mahomes' deal in June 2026 after he tore ligaments in his left knee and went 6-11. Mahomes is signed through 2033 for $504.75 million. Jackson turns 30 in January. A trade is complicated by his no-trade clause and the timing. Dealing him before the 2027 draft would leave $74.81 million in dead money while saving only $9.53 million. Waiting past June 1 would split the hit into $32.34 million in 2027 and $42.47 million in 2028, but Baltimore would carry the full cap number until then.

If Jackson plays out the deal and reaches free agency in 2028, the tag ban limits the Ravens' options. Carrying his $84.34 million cap number would exceed the record $50.5 million Dallas carried for Dak Prescott in 2025. A maximum restructure could free up to $37.4 million in 2027 room, but his exit would leave $79.9 million in 2028 dead money. The Ravens could also release him with a post-June 1 designation next March, forfeiting a potential 2029 compensatory third-round pick.