With Lamar Jackson On Ir, Ravens Name Undrafted Rookie Joe Fagnano Starting Qb Vs. Jaguars

Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter told the media Tuesday the team will start undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano on Thursday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The announcement comes as starting quarterback Lamar Jackson was added to injured reserve with a thumb injury, and backup quarterback Tyler Huntley was diagnosed with turf toe. Minter added that Huntley could also be going on IR.

Fagnano will be the second undrafted rookie to start under center for Baltimore in the Ravens' 32-year history, per ESPN's Jamison Hensley. The other was Anthony Brown, who started in Week 18 of the 2022 season.

In Baltimore's loss to the Buffalo Bills last week, Jackson lasted just one snap before he hit a defender on a pass attempt. He immediately came off the field holding his throwing hand and did not return.

Huntley took over, but then suffered a lower-body injury (later deemed turf toe) that forced Baltimore to use Fagnano, the team's emergency quarterback.

In relief, the rookie completed 10-of-21 passes for 91 yards and one interception. Fagnano also ran the ball three times for 3 yards.

The rookie ended his collegiate career at UConn after starting it at Maine in 2019. He played 24 career games for the Huskies, totaling 5,252 passing yards and 48 touchdowns. Fagnano is less mobile than Jackson or Huntley and rushed for just 223 yards and 4 touchdowns on 93 carries in college.

The injuries in the quarterback room aren't limited to Jackson and Huntley; Fagnano was also spotted at Tuesday's practice wearing a guard/brace on his right ankle. The injury must be minor enough that Minter felt confident naming the rookie starter for Thursday.

With the quarterback room depleted, Baltimore signed two quarterbacks to back up Fagnano. The Ravens signed Austin Reed to the practice squad on Monday and Kedon Slovis on Tuesday.

CBS Sports researcher Doug Clawson noted that Baltimore's current backup quarterback room — Fagnano, Reed and Slovis — has fewer career passing touchdowns (0) than starting running back Derrick Henry (4).

Fagnano is looking to become the first UConn quarterback since Dan Orlovsky in 2011 to win an NFL start, per Hensley.

Baltimore is 4-4 and has lost three consecutive games. The loss to Buffalo was Jackson's first game since Week 4. Now, with Fagnano under center, the Ravens face the 5-2 Jaguars, who are currently first in the AFC South.