The Baltimore Ravens quarterback crisis deepened on November 4, 2026, when tests confirmed that backup Tyler Huntley suffered a season-ending turf toe injury, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano to make his first career NFL start on Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Jesse Minter confirmed the decision on Wednesday, just three days after Lamar Jackson lasted only one offensive play on his return at Buffalo. Baltimore has signed Kedon Slovis from the Green Bay Packers practice squad as cover, while reports say the club is exploring veteran trade options before the November 10 deadline.

Key Points

• Tyler Huntley suffered a season-ending turf toe injury, tests revealed on November 4, 2026.
• Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano will start Thursday night against Jacksonville, his first career NFL start.
• Lamar Jackson is out indefinitely after right-thumb surgery and is headed to injured reserve.
• Baltimore signed Kedon Slovis, 25, from Green Bay's practice squad, and brought Austin Reed back to its practice squad.
• The Ravens are reported to be exploring veteran quarterback trades before the November 10 deadline.

What Happened

Huntley entered the game at Buffalo after Jackson was hurt on the first offensive play, but he too was forced out in the second quarter after a strip-sack, when his foot was twisted on a tackle. He was ruled out at half-time, having completed two of four passes for no yards and lost a fumble. Tests then confirmed a turf toe injury that will end his season. Turf toe, an injury to the joint at the base of the big toe, can be especially damaging for a quarterback, because planting, pushing off and throwing all depend on a stable front foot.

Minter then confirmed the unavoidable plan. Fagnano, who entered at Buffalo with 9 minutes 39 seconds remaining until half-time, will start on Thursday night in Baltimore against Jacksonville. It comes on a short week, with limited practice time, and Fagnano himself is nursing an ankle injury, according to the latest reporting. If he were forced out, Baltimore would turn to Slovis.

Background/Context

Jackson returned at Buffalo on November 1 after missing three games with a high ankle sprain. He had practised fully all week and carried no injury designation. On his first offensive snap, his throwing hand struck defensive end Greg Rousseau on the follow-through of a pass intended for Zay Flowers. Jackson grabbed his hand, jogged off and was taken to the locker room, then the X-ray room, before being ruled out.

Fagnano, the emergency third quarterback, then made his NFL debut, completing 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards, with one interception, and was sacked three times as Baltimore lost 36-10. The Ravens used three quarterbacks before half-time, threw for only 68 net yards as a team, and fell to 4-4 after a third straight defeat. After the game, Minter announced that Jackson needed surgery on his injured right thumb and would be placed on injured reserve, missing at least four games. His return this season is now described as uncertain. Fagnano, 25, went undrafted after playing at UConn via Maine and led the NFL in preseason passing yards, but a Thursday night regular-season start is a very different test.

Ravens Quarterback Crisis: How Baltimore Must Adapt

The Ravens quarterback crisis now forces a fundamental change in approach. With Jackson and Huntley out, Baltimore cannot rely on quarterback mobility in the same way, nor expect its starter to improvise his way out of trouble. The offence will need to protect Fagnano with quick passes, a strong running game and a simplified plan that gives him clear, early reads.

That is easier to describe than to execute on a short week, especially while managing Fagnano's ankle injury. Jacksonville, meanwhile, arrives with its own injury problems, having lost defensive starters DaVon Hamilton and Eric Murray to season-ending injuries. Thursday's game may therefore be decided less by star power at quarterback than by which depleted team protects the ball and avoids early mistakes. At 4-4, Baltimore is chasing in the AFC North after three straight losses, so a win would stabilise the season and buy time while Jackson recovers, while a loss would deepen the slide.

Reactions/Quotes

The Ravens have not announced a return date for Jackson, and Minter's confirmation of Fagnano as starter removes immediate uncertainty while confirming that Baltimore has no experienced alternative ready to step in. Attention has therefore turned to the trade market, with reports saying Baltimore is exploring veteran options before November 10, and names such as Mac Jones and Case Keenum floated in coverage. There is also speculation involving Cleveland quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, although no deal has been reported.

Any trade would need a veteran to learn Baltimore's offence quickly and fit the salary cap. Signing Slovis is lower-cost, but does not solve the experience gap. For now, Baltimore is backing its rookie for Thursday.

Why It Matters

This matters because the Ravens were built around Jackson. His combination of passing and running changes how defences play Baltimore, opens space for Derrick Henry and the running game, and gives the offence a threat no backup can replicate. Losing him was a major blow; losing Huntley as well removes the experienced safety net behind him. It also matters for the AFC playoff race, where a 4-4 record leaves little margin for error. If Fagnano can manage games without turnovers, Baltimore can stay in contention. If the offence collapses, the season could slip away before Jackson can return.

What Happens Next

The immediate focus is Thursday night against Jacksonville at home, with Fagnano starting and Slovis backing him up. After that, the November 10 trade deadline becomes the next decision point: Baltimore must decide whether to add a veteran, stand pat, or wait for Jackson. Huntley's season is over, so the rest of the year will be built around Jackson's recovery, Fagnano's development and whatever the club does before the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Joe Fagnano starting for the Ravens on Thursday?

Because Lamar Jackson is out after right-thumb surgery and Tyler Huntley suffered a season-ending turf toe injury. Fagnano is next on the depth chart, and Jesse Minter confirmed he will start against Jacksonville.

What is turf toe?

Turf toe is an injury to the joint at the base of the big toe. It affects planting and pushing off, which are essential for a quarterback, and tests showed Huntley's injury was serious enough to end his season.

When will Lamar Jackson return?

Jackson is headed to injured reserve after thumb surgery, and his return this season is uncertain. The club has not confirmed a date.

Who is Kedon Slovis?

Slovis, 25, is a quarterback Baltimore signed from the Green Bay Packers practice squad to its 53-man roster as cover. Austin Reed was also brought back to the practice squad.

Could the Ravens trade for a veteran quarterback?

Reports say Baltimore is exploring veteran options before November 10. No trade has been reported, and any move would depend on price, fit and availability.

Related coverage: Lamar Jackson surgery leaves Ravens in crisis, Ravens down to third QB, and Jaguars lose Hamilton and Murray.