NFL

Ravens Name Rookie Joe Fagnano Starter for Thursday Night Clash Against Jaguars

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Nov 4, 2026, 02:51 IST

Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter has confirmed that undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano will start at quarterback against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Thursday, following injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley.

Ravens Name Rookie Joe Fagnano Starter for Thursday Night Clash Against Jaguars

The Baltimore Ravens have confirmed that rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano will take the helm as the starting signal-caller for Thursday night’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The announcement was made by head coach Jesse Minter on Tuesday, providing clarity to the team's quarterback situation following a period of uncertainty regarding the health of the roster.

Fagnano, an undrafted rookie, had been managing an ankle injury earlier in the week, which left his status for the upcoming game in doubt. While Minter had been non-committal on Monday, noting only that the rookie had a chance to feature, the decision to start him signals a significant opportunity for the young player. Fagnano was observed at practice on Tuesday wearing a brace on his injured ankle, indicating he is working through the recovery process to be ready for kickoff.

A Historic Opportunity Amidst Roster Challenges

The decision to start Fagnano comes as the Ravens navigate a difficult stretch of injuries within their quarterback room. Star quarterback Lamar Jackson has been placed on injured reserve to undergo surgery on a right thumb injury, while primary backup Tyler Huntley has been officially ruled out for the Jaguars game due to a toe injury.

By taking the field on Thursday, Fagnano will etch his name into the franchise's history books, becoming only the second undrafted rookie quarterback to start for the Ravens in the team's 32-year history. The sudden vacancy at the position has forced the organization to make rapid adjustments to their depth chart.

Reinforcements Arrive in Baltimore

In response to the mounting injury concerns, the Ravens have moved to bolster their quarterback depth. The team successfully signed Kedon Slovis from the Green Bay Packers' practice squad, and he is expected to serve as the primary backup to Fagnano for the Thursday night contest. Additionally, the organization added Austin Reed to the practice squad on Monday to provide further coverage.

With the coaching staff now settled on their starter, the focus shifts to how the rookie will perform under the bright lights of a Thursday night game. Despite the challenging circumstances surrounding the team's injury report, the Ravens are moving forward with Fagnano as they prepare to face Jacksonville.