Ravens’ Joe Fagnano to Start Thursday vs. Jaguars After Jackson, Huntley Injuries

Three quarterbacks threw a pass before halftime Sunday in Buffalo — the first time an NFL team has done that since the 2017 Cowboys, per ESPN Research — and now the third of them, undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, is positioned to make his first career start Thursday night for the Baltimore Ravens against the first-place Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium. With two-time MVP Lamar Jackson headed to injured reserve after thumb surgery and backup Tyler Huntley sidelined by a toe injury, Fagnano is the team’s primary option under center despite an ankle ailment of his own.

The Ravens lost 36-10 to the Bills in Week 8, a game in which Jackson hurt his right thumb on Baltimore’s first offensive play when he hit Bills defensive end Gregory Rousseau, according to CBS Sports. Huntley, who had started the previous three games while Jackson recovered from an ankle injury, then went down in the first half with a foot injury after Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver rolled up on him. That forced Baltimore to turn to Fagnano, a 25-year-old rookie from UConn, as the emergency third quarterback.

How the Ravens’ Quarterback Room Collapsed in Buffalo

Baltimore became the first team to have three quarterbacks throw a pass before halftime since the 2017 Cowboys, per ESPN Research, as cited by the team’s official site. Jackson went to the locker room immediately after the thumb injury; Huntley is officially listed as questionable; and Fagnano finished the game.

Head coach Jesse Minter acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, saying, “That’s a tough deal, and then the next guy [Huntley] as well [going down].” He added of Fagnano, “I thought Joe came in – to his credit, not really getting a lot of reps in preparation – hung in there, did some good stuff.”

Fagnano went 10-of-21 for 91 passing yards with one interception and one lost fumble, while another report had him at 10-of-12 for 91 yards with an interception over roughly 2.5 quarters. Either way, Baltimore’s offense mustered just 144 total yards and went 3-of-13 on third down against Buffalo’s defense.

Fagnano’s Unlikely Path from Maine Walk-On to Thursday Starter

According to CBS Sports, he started his college career as a walk-on at Maine, an FCS program, in 2019, quickly earning the backup job and a scholarship. His college debut came after the starter got hurt, and one week later, in his first collegiate start, he threw five touchdown passes in an upset win over FBS program Liberty. After a COVID-shortened 2020 season limited to four games and an injury in 2021 that held him to four more, he transferred to UConn.

At UConn, Fagnano suffered a season-ending shoulder injury two games into his debut season but played most of 2024 and got on NFL radars with an outstanding 2025 that included 28 passing touchdowns, one interception and 3,448 passing yards. The Ravens invited him to a rookie tryout, where he beat out Diego Pavia for a spot on the summer roster, and he capitalized with a preseason that led all NFL quarterbacks with 509 passing yards in three games, three touchdowns, one interception and a 100.4 passer rating, per the team’s official site.

If he starts Thursday, Fagnano would become the second undrafted rookie quarterback to start for the franchise in its 32-year history, after Anthony Brown in 2022.

Roster Moves: Austin Reed and Jake Moody Join the Fray

With Fagnano nursing a lower-body injury suffered on an illegal hit in the second half against Buffalo, the Ravens added insurance. The team announced it had signed quarterback Austin Reed to the practice squad and released fullback Lucas Scott:

We have signed QB Austin Reed to the Practice Squad. We have also released FB Lucas Scott from the Practice Squad. https://t.co/8roak0MH4m — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 2, 2026

The team’s site reported that Reed, a former Chicago player with deep familiarity with offensive coordinator Declan Doyle’s playbook, is the fallback if Fagnano cannot go. CBS Sports added that running back Justice Hill would serve as the emergency quarterback behind Fagnano if needed.

Starting kicker Tyler Loop, who has made only two of six field goals under 50 yards and is dealing with a groin injury, will be replaced Thursday by Jake Moody, a former third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers. Minter confirmed the change.

Standings, Odds and What Thursday Means for Baltimore

The Ravens have dropped three straight games and sit at 4-4, last place in the AFC North. The visiting Jaguars are more than eight-point favorites in the home game against Baltimore.

To stay within reach of the playoff race, the Ravens will need to compensate for the absence of their franchise quarterback with a stout defensive performance and decisive special-teams plays.

“Control What I Can Control”

Fagnano addressed the magnitude of the moment after Sunday’s game, telling reporters, “If it is me and whoever’s down or whatever it is, I’m just going to put my best foot forward and give the Ravens everything that I have. That’s all I can do at the end of the day.” He also spoke about watching Jackson’s injury, saying, “It’s tough to see Lamar go down like that. Especially, like you said, I had firsthand witness of him coming in the training room every day, fighting to get back for this team, and then one play, that happens.”

When Fagnano entered Sunday’s game, he gave the offense an immediate spark, connecting with rookie tight end Josh Cuevas for a 15-yard gain and rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane for a 13-yard pickup, per the team’s official site. The Ravens struggled to sustain that momentum, however.

Thursday Night in Baltimore: The Confirmed Checkpoint

The Ravens are scheduled to host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, with Fagnano expected to take the first-team snaps unless his injury worsens. Jackson is expected to undergo surgery and be placed on injured reserve, ending his season, while Huntley’s availability remains uncertain.

More on Jackson: Lamar Jackson to Return for Ravens Against the Buffalo Bills · Lamar Jackson to Miss Third Straight Game Against Cincinnati Bengals · Lamar Jackson exits after first snap against Buffalo