Jackson Hopes to Return for Ravens’ Playoff Push

On November 8, Jackson said he hopes to return this season, despite an injury that initially raised fears he might be out for the year. He hurt his right thumb on Baltimore’s opening snap against Buffalo last week, after already missing three games with a high ankle sprain. He is expected to have surgery in the coming days.

The typical recovery period for this type of injury is at least six weeks and could extend to nine, putting a return in early January within reach. Jackson has urged teammates to keep the Ravens in contention so he could potentially rejoin them for the postseason. His words gave a lift to a team that has lost four straight games.

Baltimore’s quarterback options have been depleted. Backup Tyler Huntley suffered a season-ending injury against Buffalo, and third-stringer Joe Fagnano started Thursday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Ravens have since traded for veteran Jacoby Brissett, who was not with the team in time for that game.

Brissett began this season as Arizona’s starter, going 3-5 in eight starts and completing 63.3 percent of his passes. Baltimore is 4-5, and its final four regular-season games are against division opponents: Cleveland, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, with the Steelers twice. Jackson’s possible return depends on his recovery and the Ravens reaching the playoffs.