The Baltimore Ravens are throwing undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano into the fire as their starting quarterback on Thursday night, and get this: he’s going into his first NFL start with a heavy brace strapped to his right ankle. Head coach Jesse Minter told reporters after Tuesday’s practice that Fagnano is officially the guy against the Jaguars. This isn’t just a big moment, it’s a wild one given the circumstances.
The Urgent Call-Up
Fagnano’s journey to this start has been a whirlwind. He’s officially healthy enough to play despite that noticeable brace, making his first ever NFL start after practicing with it on Tuesday. This makes him only the second undrafted rookie in Ravens history to start a game, with Anthony Brown being the first back in the 2022 season. Fagnano just got his first taste of regular season action last Sunday in a loss to the Bills, where he went 10-of-21 for 91 yards and threw an interception. His sudden promotion comes due to injuries sidelining both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, leaving the Ravens’ quarterback room in a precarious spot.
Backup Plan in Motion
With the quarterback situation this tight, the Ravens are already shoring up their depth, just in case. They’ve signed Kedon Slovis to the active roster and brought Austin Reed onto the practice squad over the past few days. If Fagnano has to leave the game for any reason, one of those two guys will become the next man up under center for Baltimore.
It’s going to be an intense Thursday night against the Jaguars. Every snap will be critical for Joe Fagnano, especially as he battles through that ankle brace in his first NFL start. Can he deliver, or will the Ravens need to dig even deeper into their emergency quarterback pool? You definitely don’t want to miss this one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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