BALTIMORE, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens will hand the offense to an undrafted rookie when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night. Coach Jesse Minter said Tuesday that Joe Fagnano gets the first NFL start of his career.
Injuries forced the move. Lamar Jackson hurt his right thumb on the first offensive snap of Sunday’s loss to Buffalo, a injury that needed surgery, and backup Tyler Huntley then went down with turf toe. Minter said both are likely headed to injured reserve before the game, along with kicker Tyler Loop.
Fagnano, 25, came to Baltimore out of UConn after the 2026 draft passed without his name called. He won a spot on the opening 53-man roster over another undrafted rookie, Diego Pavia, and was the emergency third quarterback on Sunday.
Thrown in against the Bills, he hit 10 of his 21 throws for 91 yards with one interception and also lost a fumble.
He is only the second undrafted rookie to start at quarterback for the Ravens, after Anthony Brown in 2022. Fagnano has also been nursing an ankle problem but was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice after being limited Monday.
For depth, the club promoted Kedon Slovis to the active roster and brought in Austin Reed on the practice squad.
The Ravens are 4-4 and have lost three straight. Jacksonville comes in at 5-2.
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