The Baltimore Ravens are facing a sudden and severe crisis in their quarterback room as they head into a critical Thursday night matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Following a 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, the team is now managing the fallout of a game that saw three different players take snaps under center before halftime—a chaotic sequence that has left the roster thin and the coaching staff scrambling.
A Sunday of Attrition in Buffalo
The trouble began immediately. Lamar Jackson, returning to the lineup after an ankle injury, sustained a thumb injury on the very first offensive play of the game after colliding with Bills defender Gregory Rousseau. According to reporting from CBS Sports, Jackson was forced to the locker room, shifting the burden to backup Tyler Huntley. That relief effort was short-lived; Huntley was sidelined in the second quarter after his foot was caught and rolled up on by Ed Oliver, leaving him officially questionable for future action.
It's been nine years since a team experienced this bad run of injuries at QB like the Ravens.Baltimore is the first team to have 3 QBs throw a pass before halftime of a game since the 2017 Cowboys, per ESPN Research.
The emergency solution was Joe Fagnano, an undrafted rookie who had taken zero first-team reps in practice leading up to the game. Per ESPN Research, the Ravens became the first NFL team to have three different quarterbacks throw a pass before halftime since the 2017 Dallas Cowboys. The Ravens’ official team site notes that Head Coach Jesse Minter acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating, “That’s a tough deal, and then the next guy [Huntley] as well [going down]. I thought Joe came in – to his credit, not really getting a lot of reps in preparation – hung in there, did some good stuff.”
Who is Joe Fagnano?
Fagnano’s unexpected debut on Sunday marks a significant leap for the 25-year-old rookie. His journey to the NFL has been unconventional, beginning as a walk-on at the University of Maine in 2019. CBS Sports highlights that Fagnano earned a scholarship and the backup role at Maine quickly, eventually transferring to UConn. His collegiate career was marked by fits and starts, including a COVID-shortened 2020 season and a shoulder injury that cut his 2023 campaign short.
Ravens undrafted QB Joe Fagnano has checked into the game. He was the team's emergency No. 3 QB.Baltimore QB Tyler Huntley is questionable with a toe injury, and Lamar Jackson has been ruled out.(📺 CBS) pic.twitter.com/CoGfdwbVpF
He found his footing in 2025, throwing for 3,448 yards with 28 touchdowns and only one interception. That production caught the attention of the Ravens, who invited him to a rookie tryout. Fagnano subsequently impressed during the preseason, leading all NFL quarterbacks with 509 passing yards and posting a 100.4 passer rating. Despite that summer success, Sunday’s reality was a stark contrast, as he faced a blitz-heavy Buffalo defense that pressured the Baltimore line consistently. Fagnano finished the day 10-of-21 for 91 yards, one interception, and one lost fumble, while also managing a lower-body injury in the second half.
The Stakes for Thursday Night
The immediate outlook for Baltimore is grim. With Lamar Jackson headed for surgery and injured reserve, and Tyler Huntley’s availability uncertain, the team is preparing for the possibility that Fagnano will make his first career start against the first-place Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium. The offense showed flickers of potential when Fagnano first entered the game, connecting with rookie tight end Josh Cuevas for a 15-yard gain and rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane for 13 yards, but the unit struggled to sustain that momentum against the Bills.
The depth chart is now so depleted that the coaching staff has had to designate running back Justice Hill as the emergency fourth quarterback, a role confirmed by the CBS Sports broadcast team. This situation leaves the Ravens in a precarious position, as they attempt to break a two-game losing streak without their primary offensive leaders. While Fagnano’s collegiate history—specifically his first start at Maine, where he threw five touchdowns in an upset win—suggests a capacity for rising to the occasion, the transition to a regular-season NFL start against a top-tier team remains a significant hurdle.
The Ravens’ ability to adapt to this personnel crisis will determine their standing in an increasingly competitive AFC. As of Sunday, the team is forced to rely on a player who, just months ago, was fighting for a spot in a rookie tryout, highlighting the fragile nature of NFL depth and the rapid turnover that can define a professional season.
Here’s a look at #Ravens QB Tyler Huntley injuring his right toe on the tackle by Ed Oliver. Pretty classic turf toe mechanism. https://t.co/2qpBBQTJCV pic.twitter.com/GHRY4WufeN
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#Ravens undrafted QB Joe Fagnano is now in the game. He was the emergency No. 3 QB — the first one to be used all season. Baltimore QB Tyler Huntley is questionable with a toe injury.
