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Ravens Name Undrafted Joe Fagnano Starter for Week 9 Against Jaguars

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Sports Desk

In Short: The Baltimore Ravens will start undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano against the Jacksonville Jaguars after both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley were injured.

The Baltimore Ravens announced that undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano will start in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, following injuries to both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Head coach Jesse Minter made the decision public after Huntley suffered a turf toe injury during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills, adding to the team's woes.

Jackson, who had just returned from a three-game absence due to an ankle injury, was ruled out after suffering a thumb injury during the first quarter. Huntley, who had started the previous three games, also went down with an injury, leaving Fagnano as the only option.

Fagnano, who had a strong preseason with the Arizona Cardinals and has a rapport with Ravens Quarterbacks Coach Israel Woolfork, will make his first career start. Coach Minter expressed confidence in Fagnano's abilities, noting, 'I thought we operated really well when he was in there in the preseason, just from time on the play clock and penalties and substitutions. So, I am excited to see him go out there Thursday.'

During his brief stint in the game against the Bills, Fagnano completed 10-of-21 passes for 91 yards and an interception, while also losing a fumble. He attempted just nine passes targeted more than five yards downfield, with only 33% of those categorized as accurate, according to Ryan Heath. Despite the challenging circumstances, Fagnano showed poise, particularly on his first possession, which was aided by a 59-yard kickoff return.

Huntley had been performing well in Jackson's absence, starting three games and completing 69.8% of his passes for 727 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception across four appearances. However, his injury leaves the Ravens with no other option but to start Fagnano.

Fagnano's journey to the NFL is unique. He started his collegiate career as a walk-on at Maine, an FCS program, in 2019. He later won the job at the expense of former Heisman Trophy finalist Diego Pavia during training camp, seizing the opportunity when the Ravens parted ways with Pavia.

The decision to start Fagnano underscores the depth of the Ravens' quarterback situation. Jackson will undergo surgery on his injured right thumb and will go on injured reserve, potentially missing the rest of the season.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley are injured and even No. 3 quarterback, Joe Fagnano, is dealing with an ankle injury, but that won't stop the undrafted rookie from making his first career start Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

What's still developing

• "He's cool, calm and collected; doesn't really get rattled, has a really good demeanor, played in a bunch of games in college. So, you certainly feel good about it," Minter said of Fagnano.
• Fagnano’s first possession under center Sunday was aided by a 59-yard kickoff return, and he initially looked quite poised in relief, finding tight end Josh Cuevas along the left sideline for a 20-yard gain before running no-huddle and hitting Ja'Kobi Lane for another first down at the Buffalo 7-yard line.
• 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.
• 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.
• “The Ravens are signing undrafted UConn quarterback Joey Fagnano, per source,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on April 28.
• The Baltimore Ravens ’ quarterback situation took a major turn for the worse on Sunday, and it prompted everyone to make the same joke.
• Fagnano, another undrafted rookie, wound up seizing the job instead, and wound up being called into action.
• "I thought Joe came in – to his credit, not really getting a lot of reps in preparation – hung in there, did some good stuff." Amidst a blitz-happy Bills defense that stressed Baltimore's offensive line and with zero first-team reps in practice this week, Fagnano had tough sledding in the Ravens' 36-10 loss to the Bills.

Sources

• Baltimore Ravenslink
• CBS Sportslink
• CT Insiderlink
• Heavy.comlink
• Nbcsportslink
• Newsweeklink
• Nbcwashingtonlink
• Enlink
• Heavylink
• Capitalgazettelink
• Larrybrownsportslink
• CBS Sportslink
• Baltimoresunlink
• Cincyjunglelink
• Baltimoreravenslink
• WarpBeat — background on Ravens Turn to Undrafted Rookie Joe Fagnano link
• Pro Football Network — video link