The Baltimore Ravens have confirmed that undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano will start their Week 9 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Jesse Minter made the announcement following a week in which the team’s quarterback depth chart was significantly decimated by injury. The matchup is scheduled for Thursday night, marking a pivotal moment for the young signal caller.
The decision to elevate Fagnano comes after starter Lamar Jackson suffered a right thumb injury that required surgery. Jackson sustained the injury during the Week 8 contest against the Buffalo Bills. He was forced to exit the game after a collision with Buffalo pass rusher Greg Rousseau on the first offensive snap of the day. This injury immediately shifted the starting role to backup Tyler Huntley.
Huntley, however, was unable to maintain his spot on the field for long. He also departed the game against Buffalo due to a turf toe injury. Both Jackson and Huntley are expected to be placed on injured reserve before the Thursday night game begins. This move suggests that Fagnano’s start against the Jaguars may be the first of several appearances for him this season.
Fagnano gained his initial experience in the starting role under pressure during the previous week’s loss to Buffalo. In that game, he completed 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards. He also threw one interception and lost a fumble. The 25-year-old joined the Baltimore organization in the spring after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Connecticut.
During the summer training period, Fagnano secured a spot on the opening 53-man roster by outperforming fellow undrafted rookie Diego Pavia. Minter praised the rookie’s ability to seize opportunities when given the chance. The coach noted that while Fagnano had limited repetitions in organized team activities due to the depth at the quarterback position, he began to earn more playing time when injuries occurred roughly ten days before the first preseason game.
The coach highlighted the rookie’s strong preseason performance as a key factor in his confidence. Fagnano completed 56 of his 75 passes for 509 yards during the preseason. He recorded three passing touchdowns and just one interception, demonstrating a high completion percentage of 74.7 percent.
Despite the positive outlook, Fagnano may not be fully healthy for the upcoming contest. He appeared to injure his ankle during the loss to Buffalo but managed to remain in the game. On Tuesday, he was observed at practice wearing a large brace on his right ankle. When asked about the injury after practice, Fagnano described his condition as good, noting that such bumps and bruises are an inherent part of the physical nature of the sport.
Minter expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming challenge, describing it as an exciting opportunity to play in front of the home crowd. The coach emphasized the quality of the opposing Jacksonville team and the eagerness of the roster to compete. Kicker Tyler Loop is also set to join Jackson and Huntley on injured reserve, further shaping the Ravens' roster for the remainder of the week.
The shift in leadership at the quarterback position places significant responsibility on Fagnano. As the team prepares for the Thursday night opener, the focus remains on how the rookie will handle the increased workload and the physical demands of the game. The outcome of this matchup will likely provide early indications of his potential role in the rest of the season.
