With plenty of discussion this week as to whether quarterback Lamar Jackson will return to the Ravens in 2027 (we think he will), the question of whether he’ll be back in 2026 has been largely overlooked.

Via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Jackson told teammates this week that he intends to return this season.

Jackson, per Rapoport, is out 6-9 weeks with a fractured and dislocated thumb.

The two-time MVP’s message to the locker room was simple: “Just stay alive, and if you do I will be back.”

The Ravens are currently hanging by a shrinking handful of threads. From 4-1 to 4-5, the Ravens are fading in the AFC playoff picture. But, after losses to the Browns, Bengals, Bills, and Jaguars, the schedule softens moving forward.

First up, they host the currently winless Chargers next Monday night. Then, the Ravens play at Carolina before facing the Texans.

Baltimore, which will debut Jacoby Brissett as the starting quarterback in Week 10, could be 7-5 at the bye.

After that, the stretch run won’t be easy: Bucs, at Steelers, Browns, at Bengals, Steelers. Still, if Lamar could return for the Week 15 game at Pittsburgh, the Ravens could force their way back into one of the seven spots on the AFC playoff tree.