Joe Fagnano Could Start for Ravens vs. Jaguars

The Ravens are down to their fourth quarterback, and Joe Fagnano might be the guy Thursday night. With Lamar Jackson (right thumb) and Tyler Huntley (toe) both ruled out against the Jaguars, coach Jesse Minter said Fagnano, an undrafted rookie fighting through an ankle injury, has a chance to play.

"To Joe's credit, he's kind of fighting through a couple things he's dealing with," Minter said after Monday's walk-through, ESPN reported, "but expect him to have a chance to play on Thursday." Fagnano was listed as limited.

A Quarterback Room in Pieces

This is where Baltimore is right now. Jackson is headed to injured reserve and has not had surgery on the thumb yet. After Sunday's 36-10 loss in Buffalo, Minter said the injury "potentially" could end his season, and he said the team could have a firmer timeline this week. Huntley, the primary backup, is out Thursday, with his longer-term outlook still unclear.

The only fully healthy quarterback on the roster is Austin Reed, who was signed to the practice squad Monday. Reed, 26, knows the system from Ravens camp this summer and from working with offensive coordinator Declan Doyle in Chicago last year.

Asked if the job was up in the air, Minter said, "I think we'll figure that out over the next day or two."

History on the Line for Fagnano

If Fagnano gets the start, he would be just the second undrafted rookie quarterback to start for the Ravens in their 32-year history. The first was Anthony Brown in the 2022 season finale, a 27-16 loss at Cincinnati.

Minter said the whole roster has to carry more without Jackson. "It's being able to play really good defense, being able to maybe make a play or steal a play on special teams, maybe a different style of offense of how we need to play," he said.

Kicker Change Too

The hits keep coming. Kicker Tyler Loop "potentially" could go on injured reserve with a right groin injury and did not practice Monday. He is 2 of 6 inside 50 yards this season and missed a 34-yarder in Buffalo. Practice squad kicker Jake Moody, a 2023 third-round pick of the 49ers, is in line to kick Thursday, according to Minter.

The Ravens (4-4) have lost three straight and sit last in the AFC North. They host Jacksonville on Thursday at M&T Bank Stadium (5:15 p.m. PT, Prime Video).

For Smacktok players, a banged-up rookie or a practice squad signing under center, plus Minter talking about leaning on defense, is a lean lower on Baltimore passing yards Thursday.

Baltimore has to find a way to win ugly in prime time. Whoever takes the first snap, this one is about grit.