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Ravens Turn to Undrafted Rookie Joe Fagnano
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In Short: The Baltimore Ravens turned to undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano after injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley.
Lamar Jackson suffered a thumb injury on the Ravens' first offensive play of the game against the Buffalo Bills and was ruled out in the first quarter.
Fagnano, an undrafted rookie, made his NFL debut in the second quarter when he entered the game.
Fagnano had a strong preseason, leading all NFL quarterbacks with 509 passing yards in three games.
In his NFL debut, Fagnano finished 10-of-12 for 91 yards with an interception while playing about 2.5 quarters.
The Ravens moved the ball to Buffalo's 7-yard line, but Fagnano was sacked, and Tyler Loop missed a 34-yard field goal that hit the left upright.
Fagnano's first drive started off well with passes to Josh Cuevas for a 15-yard gain and Ja'Kobi Lane for a 13-yard gain.
The Ravens were in a worst-case scenario, having to turn to their third-string quarterback against a strong Bills team.
Multiple teams reached out about trading for Fagnano, but Baltimore opted to keep him.
If Fagnano is unable to continue, the Ravens could turn to a running back who is not a quarterback but could be called upon in an emergency.
What this adds
Fagnano's performance was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging game for the Ravens.
The Ravens' decision to keep Fagnano on their roster despite him being undrafted highlights his potential.
What's confirmed
- It's Joe Fagnano time, as the Ravens are down to their emergency third quarterback, an undrafted rookie making his NFL debut.
- Lamar Jackson suffered a thumb injury on the Ravens' first offensive play of the game and was ruled out in the first quarter.
What's still developing
- Fagnano gave the Ravens' offense an immediate spark upon entering the game.
- A rare 25-year-old rookie, Fagnano started his collegiate career as a walk-on at Maine, an FCS program, in 2019.
- The Black Bears only played four games in the 2020 season due to COVID-19, and Fagnano got hurt in 2021 and only played in four games.
- He earned the backup quarterback job — and a scholarship — quickly, though.
- The rookie quarterback was designated as Baltimore’s emergency third quarterback for the game, but suddenly found himself thrust into action as the Ravens’ options dwindled.
- “Ravens QB Lamar Jackson needs surgery on his thumb and is going on injured reserve, coach Jesse Minter told reporters,” The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero wrote on his official X account on Sunday after Baltimore’s 36-10 loss.
- “The Ravens also lost Tyler Huntley in today’s game and there’s a scenario they could be in the trade market for a QB this week,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account.
- However, Huntley appeared to get hurt as well, and if he can’t go, the Ravens would have to turn to a name most NFL fans have never heard: Joe Fagnano.