ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter said Friday that he was excited to have quarterback Lamar Jackson back. Two days later, his mood was decidedly different.

Jackson returned from a left ankle injury, and his first game in 28 days lasted just one play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player injured his right thumb on his throwing hand on Baltimore’s first offensive snap. Jackson faked a handoff to Derrick Henry, and as he tried to throw to receiver Zay Flowers, his hand struck Bills outside linebacker Greg Rousseau’s arm.

Jackson did not return, and the Ravens fell 36-10 for their third straight loss.

Coach Jesse Minter said after the game that Jackson will have surgery and will potentially go on season-ending injured reserve.

It was a tough day for Ravens quarterbacks. Backup Tyler “Snoop” Huntley was also knocked out of the game with a toe injury in the second quarter and did not return. Minter had no update on his status.

Undrafted rookie free agent Joe Fagnano (10 of 21 passing, 91 yards) played the rest of the way and took his own share of punishment. Trainers on the sideline tended to his right foot/ankle, and he looked hobbled on the field but still finished the game. Minter said he’ll have to see about the third-stringer’s status and will figure out the quarterback situation “over the next 24 hours.”

It was the Ravens’ fourth straight loss to the Bills (6-1) at Highmark Stadium and their fifth defeat in the past six games this season.

More worrisome is the status of Jackson’s injured thumb as the season now hangs in the balance. Baltimore (4-4) remains in last place in the AFC North and returns home to face the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night.

If Jackson can’t play against the Jaguars, it would mark the sixth game this season he couldn’t either start or finish because of injury. He also missed four games last season with hamstring and back injuries.

Jackson’s latest injury comes after he suffered a left ankle sprain halfway through Baltimore’s Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans. He missed the rest of that game and the three that followed.

The Ravens went 1-2 during that span as their offense sputtered.

That was the case again Sunday without Jackson.

Trailing 7-0 after the Bills won the coin toss, elected to take the ball and marched 60 yards in 10 plays with Josh Allen scoring from 1-yard out on fourth-and-goal, Baltimore went three-and-out on its next two possessions.

Ravens defensive tackle Broderick Washington then intercepted a dropped pass by tight end Jackson Hawes at the Bills’ 17-yard line, setting up a 2-yard touchdown run by Henry. But struggling kicker Tyler Loop missed a 34-yard field goal attempt off the left upright midway through the second quarter that would have cut the deficit to 13-10.

Cornerback Davison Igbinosun then intercepted Fagnano with just over two minutes remaining in the second quarter after the ball was tipped by former Ravens safety Geno Stone, setting up a 51-yard field goal by Tyler Bass just before halftime.

Still, the Ravens had a chance to take the lead after reaching the Bills’ 5-yard line on the first series of the second half. But a 10-yard touchdown run by Henry was nullified by a holding penalty on left tackle Ronnie Stanley.

They settled for a field goal, and that was as close as it got the rest of the day.

Though Baltimore’s defense showed fight early, it couldn’t do enough to keep the Bills out of the end zone.

Allen (21-of-34 passing, 289 yards) connected with former Terps receiver DJ Moore on a 49-yard bomb over cornerback Marlon Humphrey on Buffalo’s next possession. Two plays later, running back James Cook (21 carries, 80 yards) scored an untouched 5-yard touchdown run. Two possessions later, Moore added another touchdown reception, this time from 11 yards out.

Tight end Dalton Kincaid then added the final blow, hauling in a 23-yard touchdown pass with just over six minutes remaining.

Baltimore had just 145 total yards and converted only 3 of 13 third downs.

The bigger concern, of course, is Jackson’s health.

In his ninth season, he entered this week having missed 17 regular-season games because of injury. Twice, those injuries were season-ending.

Jackson returned to the sideline Sunday in street clothes and with a plastic brace on his right hand.

How long he will be out this time remains to be seen.

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