A tough break for Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens: All-pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley Jr. will be placed on Injured Reserve and miss the rest of the 2021 season due to ankle surgery.

Stanley released a statement announcing the unfortunate news on the Ravens' official website on Tuesday afternoon:

“This is not what I wanted or expected when coming into the season,” Stanley wrote. “Throughout the last year, I did everything I could to be 100% healthy so I could be out there playing for our team and city. As a competitor, I have a mindset of sacrificing my body for my brothers and my team to reach our goals. At this point in time, my ankle isn't where it should be.

“This is the best decision not only for my health, but also for the team long term. I look forward to supporting my team from the sideline this season and coming back fully healthy in 2022.”

Stanley's surgery will take place on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

It's the second straight season that ended prematurely for the Ravens tackle due to ankle surgery.

In Nov. 2020, Ronnie Stanley signed a five-year, $98.75 million deal. Shortly after, he suffered a major ankle injury. He returned to play sparingly in Week 1 of this season, only to miss the next five games.

He's the 17th Ravens player to hit IR already this season.

Veteran Alejandro Villanueva will continue to start in Stanley's place. Led by Lamar Jackson, Baltimore (5-1) has been able to maintain one of the top offenses in football, despite the injuries.