Lamar Jackson Is Out Six to 10 Weeks After Thumb Surgery: A Fantasy Plan for Brissett, Flowers, Henry and Your Playoff Roster

The news that every Baltimore-heavy fantasy roster was dreading arrived Friday. The Ravens announced that Lamar Jackson underwent surgery on a broken and dislocated thumb and is expected to miss six to 10 weeks ^[1][3]. Coach Jesse Minter said the timeline is hard to pin down and that Jackson's own progress will decide when he comes back ^[1].

It is a hard turn for a former MVP on a $260 million contract ^[2], and for a season that has already tested Baltimore. Jackson had missed three games earlier this fall with a high ankle sprain before he hurt the thumb on the Ravens' very first offensive play against Buffalo on Nov. 1 ^[2]. Baltimore has since lost four straight and sits at 4-5, yet it remains in a crowded AFC North race and, according to CBS Sports, just one game out of the final AFC playoff spot ^[1][3].

Here is how I would handle every Raven on your roster, starting with the quarterback himself.

What to Do With Lamar Jackson

Start with the calendar. CBS Sports reports that Jackson could return as early as Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns, and that the full 10-week recovery would push his return into the postseason ^[1]. Most fantasy leagues crown their champions in Weeks 16 and 17. So the best case is that Jackson is back for your title game, and the worst case is that he never suits up for your team again this year.

If your league has an injured reserve slot, put him there and leave him alone for a month. That costs you nothing, and a healthy Jackson in late December would be a weapon no opponent wants to see.

If you have no IR slot, the math gets harder, because a bench spot tied up for six weeks or more is a real cost in a playoff push. In redraft leagues where you are 3-6 or worse and need wins now, that roster spot should go to someone who can help this week. In dynasty and keeper leagues, never cut him. His value lives in 2027 and beyond.

And do not panic-sell him for pennies. Some managers in your league will read "six to 10 weeks" and assume he is finished. Others will see a former MVP who could be back for the finals. Float his name in a trade offer and see who bites, but only accept a deal that helps you in the weeks you actually need to win.

Jacoby Brissett Takes the Wheel

Jacoby Brissett is expected to start the rest of the way, beginning Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers ^[1][6]. Baltimore sent a fourth-round pick and a seventh-round pick to Arizona for the 33-year-old veteran, who had been demoted by the Cardinals earlier this month ^[6]. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano becomes his backup, with Tyler Huntley lost for the season to turf toe ^[1].

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Brissett is a steady professional, but he has never been a fantasy cornerstone. He carries a 23-50 career record as a starter ^[6]. There is one encouraging note: while playing for Arizona in Week 1, he threw for 277 yards and a touchdown against these same Chargers ^[5][6]. In two-quarterback and superflex leagues, he is a sensible pickup for a Monday date with a winless opponent ^[6]. In standard one-quarterback leagues, he can stay on waivers.

Zay Flowers, Derrick Henry and Mark Andrews

Zay Flowers stands to gain the most from an experienced passer. Sports Illustrated's fantasy desk notes that Flowers ranked among the top five receivers in points per game before his recent slump, and that the Chargers give up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wideouts ^[4]. Yahoo Sports' weekly outlook lists him as a must-start ^[5]. The slump has been real, with just three catches for 6 yards over Baltimore's last two games ^[4][5], but that drought came with an undrafted rookie under center. Start him Monday with confidence.

Derrick Henry should benefit, too. Yahoo Sports rates him as a high-end RB2 this week, reasoning that a steadier quarterback keeps Baltimore out of the lopsided game scripts that push Henry to the sideline ^[5]. Fantasy analysts also point out that the Chargers have allowed four running backs to score 15 or more fantasy points since Week 3 ^[4][5]. Henry stays in your lineup.

Mark Andrews is harder to trust. He has not topped 5.3 fantasy points in five straight games ^[4][5]. Unless your bench is bare at tight end, look for a streamer with a friendlier matchup.

The Bigger Picture

Minter has framed this week as a fresh start for his team ^[6], and fantasy managers can borrow that mindset. Injuries are part of the game, and the managers who win titles are the ones who adjust calmly rather than react in a panic. Protect your Jackson investment if you can afford to, lean on Flowers and Henry, and keep Brissett in mind if your league starts two quarterbacks.

The Ravens' reset begins Monday night in Baltimore. If you want a fresh start of your own, the free Liberty Bell Fantasy games are open now at /fantasy.