By Noah CarterRavens quarterback injuries reached a crisis point on November 4 as backup Tyler Huntley was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending turf toe injury, joining starter Lamar Jackson on the sidelined list. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano will start Thursday night when 4-4 Baltimore hosts the 5-2 Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jackson landed on injured reserve earlier in the week after sustaining a thumb injury on the opening offensive snap of Sunday’s 36-10 loss in Buffalo. Huntley entered in relief and completed 2 of 4 passes before suffering the severe toe injury in the second quarter.
Medical evaluations confirmed that Huntley requires surgical repair similar to the procedure Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow underwent last year, ending his 2026 campaign. Reporters covering sports across the AFC North noted that losing two top passers in a single afternoon rarely happens midseason.
What Baltimore Loses Without Jackson and Huntley
Before Sunday’s game in Orchard Park, Huntley had steadied the offense for three starts while Jackson recovered from a high ankle sprain. Across his appearances this season, the veteran backup completed 76 of 110 passes for 727 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception, posting a 95.5 passer rating and adding a rushing score.
Huntley guided Baltimore to a 30-23 overtime victory in Atlanta before the offense bogged down in consecutive defeats. Now at 4-4 under first-year head coach Jesse Minter, the Ravens have dropped three straight games and face a compressed turnaround before Thursday night’s kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium.
Fagnano becomes only the second undrafted rookie quarterback in the franchise’s 32-year history to start a regular-season game. Stepping in during the second half against Buffalo, he completed 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards with one interception and a lost fumble while absorbing heavy pocket pressure.
Emergency Depth Moves and Trade Deadline Pressure
Although Fagnano wore a protective brace on his right ankle during Tuesday’s practice session, he told reporters that his leg felt ready for a full game workload. To fill out the quarterback room, general manager Eric DeCosta signed Austin Reed to the practice squad on Monday and claimed Kedon Slovis off Green Bay’s practice squad for the active roster.
Baltimore also adjusted its special teams unit ahead of Thursday’s contest, bringing in kicker Jake Moody to replace Tyler Loop. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is expected to lean heavily on running back Derrick Henry and quick-game passing concepts to protect the rookie signal-caller.
That protection will be tested immediately by a Jacksonville defense that recorded five sacks and 23 quarterback pressures in a 42-7 rout of Indianapolis last Sunday. With the November 10 NFL trade deadline six days away, Thursday’s performance could determine whether Baltimore pursues a trade for an experienced veteran starter.
Ground Game Reliance and Defensive Urgency on a Short Week
With an undrafted rookie making his first career NFL start on just three days of preparation, Baltimore’s offensive script on Thursday night will revolve around physical downhill rushing and high-percentage play-action throws. Controlling the clock and avoiding negative early-down plays are essential to keeping Jacksonville’s edge rushers from teeing off in obvious passing situations.
Equally critical is a rebound from a Baltimore defense that surrendered 36 points in Buffalo and has struggled to get off the field on third downs during its three-game skid. Securing a home victory at M&T Bank Stadium to move to 5-4 would buy crucial breathing room while Lamar Jackson recovers on injured reserve.
