Yes, the Baltimore Ravens have placed Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley on injured reserve, and undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano will make his first NFL start on Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team made the move official on Thursday afternoon, November 5, 2026, only hours before kickoff at M and T Bank Stadium. Both quarterbacks must miss at least four games under injured reserve rules, which leaves Baltimore with a rookie under center for one of the biggest games of its season so far.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Team | Baltimore Ravens |
| Date of move | Thursday afternoon, November 5, 2026 |
| Quarterbacks placed on injured reserve | Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley |
| Minimum absence | At least four games |
| Starting quarterback | Joe Fagnano, undrafted rookie from UConn |
| Opponent | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Game | Thursday Night Football |
| Venue | M and T Bank Stadium |
| Kickoff | 8:15 PM ET |
| Backup quarterback | Kedon Slovis |
| Ravens record | 4-4 after three straight losses |
| Jaguars record | 5-2, leading the AFC South |
| Jackson thumb injury | Hurt on the first offensive snap against Buffalo on November 1 |
| Huntley toe injury | Left the Buffalo game after only 10 plays |
| Earliest Jackson return | After the bye week, against Tampa Bay on December 13 |
How the Ravens Reached This Point
The Ravens entered the week at 4-4 after three straight losses, and their offense has averaged just 11 points over that stretch. That run of poor results had already put pressure on the season, and the injury news on Thursday afternoon made the picture harder still. Placing both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley on injured reserve on the same day is a rare step for any team, and it shows how thin the quarterback room had become in the space of a few days.
Along with the two injured reserve moves, the Ravens signed quarterback Austin Reed to the 53-man roster and elevated outside linebacker Adisa Isaac and kicker Jake Moody from the practice squad for the game.
Lamar Jackson and the Thumb Injury
Lamar Jackson, the two-time NFL MVP, hurt the thumb on his throwing hand on the first offensive snap of the Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills on November 1. Bills edge rusher Greg Rousseau contacted his hand as Jackson attempted his first pass of the game. It was a cruel start to the night, because Jackson had only just returned for that game after missing the previous three games with an ankle injury.
Head coach Jesse Minter said after the Bills game that the thumb injury would be a surgery case and could potentially end Jackson’s season, though no final decision had been made. Jackson had not yet had surgery as of Tuesday, November 3. That left the team and its fans waiting for a clear answer on whether the star quarterback would play again this season, and the injured reserve move on Thursday did not settle that question by itself.
Under injured reserve rules, Jackson must miss at least four games. The earliest he could return is after the team’s bye week, against Tampa Bay on December 13. That date gives the Ravens a target to work toward, but it is not a promise. A thumb injury on a throwing hand is a serious matter for a quarterback, and the surgery question still hangs over the rest of the season. You can read our earlier report on the loss in which Jackson was hurt here: Bills rout Ravens as Lamar Jackson suffers thumb injury.
Tyler Huntley entered the Buffalo game in relief of Jackson, but his night lasted only 10 plays. He left the game with a toe injury after Ed Oliver dragged him to the ground. What looked at first like a short spell of cover for the starter turned into a second serious injury at the same position in the same game.
Huntley is expected to need surgery for turf toe and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Joe Fagnano and His First NFL Start
Joe Fagnano, an undrafted rookie from UConn, will make his first NFL start on Thursday night against Jacksonville. He had not played a snap until last Sunday against Buffalo, when he was thrown into the game after both Jackson and Huntley went down. It was a harsh introduction to the league, and the numbers from that game tell the story of a young player learning on the job.
Fagnano finished the 36-10 loss completing 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards with one interception. He was sacked three times and hurt his ankle during the game. Those are not numbers any quarterback would want to repeat, but they also have to be read in context. He entered a game that was already going badly, with little time to prepare and with a Buffalo defense that knew Baltimore had lost its two quarterbacks.
The good news for the Ravens is that Fagnano practiced fully on Tuesday while wearing a brace, and Minter confirmed on November 3 that Fagnano would get the start against the Jaguars. A full practice matters for a rookie in this spot, because the week of preparation is short before a Thursday game. He will have had only a few days to prepare as the starter, but at least he goes into the game knowing the job is his and with his ankle well enough to practice without limits.
Other teams have also turned to young quarterbacks in difficult spots this season. You can read about one of those cases here: Eagles to start Joe Milton at quarterback in Week 9 against the Giants.
The Brissett Trade and the Week 10 Picture
Help is on the way, but it will not arrive in time for Thursday night. The Ravens have essentially agreed a trade for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals, but the deal will not be completed until after the game or the weekend, so Brissett will not be available on Thursday night.
Brissett is expected to become the starter in Week 10 once he learns the system. That gives Baltimore a clear plan for the weeks ahead, even if it does not solve the problem for Thursday. A veteran with starting experience is a very different option from a rookie making his first start, and the Ravens will hope that Brissett can steady the offense while Jackson recovers.
The delay is a matter of timing. The trade is essentially agreed, but it cannot be finished before the game. That leaves Fagnano as the man for Thursday night, with Slovis behind him and Reed now on the roster as extra cover. You can read more about the trade here: Jacoby Brissett trade to Ravens from Cardinals amid Lamar Jackson injury.
Thursday Night Against Jacksonville
The game itself is a test of where the Ravens stand. At 4-4, they cannot afford to keep sliding, and three straight losses have already eaten into their margin for error. The offense has averaged just 11 points over that stretch, and that number has to improve if Baltimore wants to beat a 5-2 Jacksonville team that leads the AFC South.
Kickoff is at 8:15 PM ET. Fagnano starts, Slovis backs him up, and Brissett waits for Week 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Ravens place Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley on injured reserve?
The Ravens placed both quarterbacks on injured reserve on Thursday afternoon, November 5, 2026. Jackson hurt the thumb on his throwing hand against Buffalo on November 1, and Huntley hurt his toe in the same game after only 10 plays. Both must miss at least four games under injured reserve rules.
Who will start at quarterback for the Ravens on Thursday night?
Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano will make his first NFL start against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He entered the Buffalo game last Sunday after Jackson and Huntley were hurt, and head coach Jesse Minter confirmed on November 3 that Fagnano would start on Thursday night. Kedon Slovis is the backup.
When can Lamar Jackson return?
The earliest Jackson could return is after the team’s bye week, against Tampa Bay on December 13. His thumb injury was described by Jesse Minter as a surgery case that could potentially end his season, though no final decision had been made, and Jackson had not yet had surgery as of Tuesday, November 3.
Will Jacoby Brissett play on Thursday night?
No. The Ravens have essentially agreed a trade for Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals, but the deal will not be completed until after the game or the weekend, so he will not be available on Thursday night. He is expected to become the starter in Week 10 once he learns the system.
Sources
Final Thoughts
The Ravens go into Thursday night in a spot few teams ever face, with both of their quarterbacks on injured reserve and an undrafted rookie making his first start against one of the best defenses in the league. Lamar Jackson may return after the bye week, Tyler Huntley is expected to miss the rest of the season, and Jacoby Brissett is expected to start in Week 10. For one night, though, the season rests with Joe Fagnano. He practiced fully on Tuesday, he knows the job is his, and he has a chance to turn a harsh first appearance against Buffalo into a far better story against Jacksonville. The result will matter, but so will the way he plays. If he stays calm, protects the ball, and gives his team a chance, the Ravens can stay in the game. If not, the wait for Brissett and the wait for Jackson will feel even longer.
