Joe Fagnano to make first NFL start for Ravens against Jaguars

Joe Fagnano to make first NFL start for Ravens against Jacksonville

The Baltimore Ravens will turn to undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano for his first NFL start this Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Yahoo Sports reported. The decision comes amid a sudden and severe quarterback crisis in Baltimore following a 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Ravens QB Joe Fagnano will start Thursday night vs. the Jaguars, head coach Jesse Minter announced. pic.twitter.com/s4GpaM045F

— https://x.com/ESPNNFL/status/2117719687555424699

The injury situation has left the Ravens’ depth chart decimated. According to Newsweek, superstar Lamar Jackson was placed on injured reserve after suffering a thumb injury during his first play back from a previous ankle injury. The chaos continued in Sunday’s game when backup Snoop Huntley also exited with a turf toe injury. This leaves Fagnano, who entered the Buffalo game as an emergency third-string option, to lead the offense in primetime.

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Fagnano’s ascent has been a series of statistical and roster-based anomalies. An undrafted rookie who initially surprised many by sticking through rookie camp and training camp, he eventually secured a spot on the opening day roster. In his brief appearance against the Bills, he completed 10 of 21 pass attempts for 91 yards and one interception. However, he was playing behind an offensive line that allowed the Bills to generate pressure on 65% of Baltimore’s dropbacks.

The rookie’s health remains a variable heading into the Week 9 matchup. While Fagnano downplayed the severity of his own physical condition, noting that every game involves “bumps and bruises,” he did sustain an ankle injury during his time on the field against Buffalo. Newsweek reported that he was able to practice with a brace on Tuesday, but the short week poses a significant challenge.

The collapsing offensive identity in Baltimore

The loss of Jackson has fundamentally altered the Ravens’ ability to move the ball on the ground. Since Jackson’s high-ankle sprain in Week 4, the team has struggled to establish a consistent run game. While Derrick Henry has led the NFL in rushing attempts this season, his efficiency has plummeted. He is currently averaging 4.0 yards per carry, a sharp decline from his 5.5 average over the previous two seasons.

The pressure on rookie offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is mounting. To protect the aging Henry—who is 32 years old—and to provide Fagnano with more time in the pocket, the Ravens must find ways to increase volume in the run game. This may require the return of rookie Adam Randall from the injured reserve list to help stabilize the front.

The Sports Lounge: Undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano set for first NFL start

The upcoming matchup against Jacksonville presents a steep climb for a depleted Baltimore roster. The Jaguars hold a 5-2 record and feature the NFL’s second-best scoring defense, allowing only 16 points per game. Jacksonville enters the game fresh, having benefited from a bye in Week 7 and a dominant 42-7 victory over the Colts this past Sunday.

“It’s special. That’s really the only way I can think about it. You work a lot to get to this position. It’s unfortunate to see what happened to Lamar and Snoop, especially being two guys I look up to… That part’s tough, but I’ve had talks with them and it’s truly a next-man up mentality, and my job now is just to play to the best of my ability.”

Fagnano shared these sentiments regarding the opportunity and the injuries to his veteran teammates. To prepare for the high-stakes Thursday night kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET, the rookie has been conducting walk-throughs and mock practices with his wife.

Roster adjustments and veteran possibilities

With the quarterback room in flux, the Ravens have moved quickly to secure depth. The team signed Austin Reed, who had a brief stint with the organization earlier this summer, and Kedon Slovis, who was previously on the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad. Slovis will serve as the backup to Fagnano for the Jacksonville game.

Despite these additions, there is speculation regarding a more significant veteran acquisition. NFL executives have suggested to Yahoo Sports that the Ravens may look to secure Jacoby Brissett, who served as a starter for Arizona over the last two seasons before losing his position on Sunday. Whether the Ravens pursue such a move may depend on how the organization handles the upcoming trade deadline next Tuesday.

Player	Status/Role	Injury/Note
Lamar Jackson	Injured Reserve	Thumb
Snoop Huntley	Out	Toe
Joe Fagnano	Starter	Ankle (Limited)
Austin Reed	Backup	Recently signed
Kedon Slovis	Backup	Recently signed

The immediate future for Baltimore remains uncertain. Regardless of the outcome against the Jaguars, the Ravens are expected to enter the remainder of the season as underdogs given the current state of their quarterback room and the looming deadline for roster restructuring.