Is Shedeur Sanders really an option for the Ravens after Lamar Jackson's injury?
Lamar Jackson's thumb injury has thrown the Ravens' season into uncertainty. With Baltimore suddenly thin at quarterback, could Shedeur Sanders emerge as a surprise trade target?
The Baltimore Ravens suffered a devastating blow on Sunday when their quarterback and two-time NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson , injured his thumb on the first play of the game against the Buffalo Bills, and the diagnosis turned out to be the worst-case scenario.
After the 36-10 loss , coach Jesse Minter confirmed that Jackson will need surgery and will be placed on injured reserve, news later corroborated by insiders Tom Pelissero and Adam Schefter .
“Ravens QB Lamar Jackson needs surgery on his thumb and is going on injured reserve, coach Jesse Minter told reporters,” The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero wrote on his official X account on Sunday after Baltimore’s 36-10 loss.
“Ravens QB Lamar Jackson needs thumb surgery and will be placed on injured reserve,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account.
Jackson was returning to action after missing the previous three games with a high-ankle sprain. However, his comeback lasted just one play, as he injured his thumb when his hand struck the helmet of Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau .
The nightmare for Baltimore did not end there. Backup Tyler Huntley also left the game after suffering a toe injury , forcing the Ravens to turn to undrafted rookie quarterback Joey Fagnano , who was listed as the emergency third-stringer.
Baltimore is already exploring options for another quarterback
The dual injuries at the most important position on the team could force the Ravens to enter the trade market in an effort to salvage their season.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Baltimore could look for a quarterback in the coming days, opening a potential window of opportunity for Shedeur Sanders .
After winning the starting job following a tough battle in 2025 , the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback became the backup to Deshaun Watson , and trade speculation has surfaced on several occasions recently.
Given the Ravens’ current need, Shedeur Sanders could be one of the options the team considers to address this serious problem.
It remains to be seen whether they ultimately pick up the phone to inquire with their division rival.
With the loss, the Ravens fell to 4-4 and now face a short week before visiting the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football in Week 9 , with major uncertainty at the quarterback position.
