Lamar Jackson’s Jaw-Dropping 60-Yard Run Ignites MVP Buzz in Ravens’ Prime-Time Thriller

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson left Sunday’s Week 4 showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs with what the team called a right hamstring injury, casting immediate doubt on the Ravens’ short-term outlook and Jackson’s budding 2025 MVP campaign. Ravens officials listed Jackson as “questionable to return,” but the 28-year-old did not re-enter after limping to the sideline late in the third quarter. Veteran backup Cooper Rush finished the game, a 34-20 Baltimore loss that dropped the Ravens to 2-2. Key numbers before the exit • Passing: 14-of-20, 147 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT • Rushing: 6 carries, 48 yards • Sacks taken: 2 Why the injury matters 1. AFC playoff race: Baltimore’s next three opponents—Browns, at Steelers, Chargers—own top-10 defenses. A multi-week absence could swing divisional seeding. 2. Fantasy football impact: Jackson entered Sunday as QB3 overall. Managers should immediately add Cooper Rush or stream alternatives if MRI results confirm a strain. 3. Contract incentives: Jackson’s deal includes a $2 million bonus for 4,500 combined yards; an extended layoff would jeopardize that milestone. Historical context This is Jackson’s third lower-body injury since 2021. He missed five December games in 2022 with a sprained PCL and two contests last season with a bruised quad. Baltimore went 2-5 in those combined stretches, averaging just 18.4 points per game without him. Timeline to watch Typical Grade 1 hamstring strains sideline skill players 1-3 weeks, while Grade 2 injuries can last 4-6 weeks. The Ravens will likely wait for Monday’s MRI before setting an official timetable, but the team has traditionally erred on the side of caution with their franchise quarterback. Locker-room reaction Left tackle Ronnie Stanley emphasized next-man-up mentality but admitted, “We run through Lamar—literally and figuratively.” Defensive leader Roquan Smith added, “We’ve got his back. We just need him healthy for January.” Chiefs-Ravens rivalry renewed, but incomplete Sunday marked the seventh Patrick Mahomes–Lamar Jackson duel, and Jackson is still searching for his first win at Arrowhead. Despite a hot start—an 18-yard strike to Zay Flowers on the opening drive—the injury robbed fans of a full four-quarter showcase. What’s next • Medical update: Expect head coach John Harbaugh to address the media Monday afternoon. • Roster move: Baltimore has QB Malik Cunningham on the practice squad and could elevate him if Jackson misses time. • Fantasy waiver deadline: Most leagues process claims Tuesday night; plan accordingly. Bottom line The Ravens’ Super Bowl aspirations ride on Lamar Jackson’s health. Until imaging clarifies the severity of his hamstring injury, Baltimore—and the entire AFC—will be holding its breath for a speedy recovery.