Md. — Joe Fagnano has gone from running plays in the living room with his wife to starting a primetime game for the Baltimore Ravens
Fagnano, the Ravens’ No. 3 quarterback all season, was officially named their starter for Thursday night’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2). He becomes only the second undrafted rookie quarterback to start for the Ravens (4-4) in their 32-year history.
“It’s special,” Fagnano said. “It’s really the only way I can think about it.”
Fagnano’s rapid climb up the depth chart came after Lamar Jackson (right thumb) and Tyler “Snoop” Huntley were injured in the first half of Sunday’s 36-10 loss at the Buffalo Bills. Jackson is headed to injured reserve with a potential season-ending injury, and Huntley is a candidate to go to IR, too.
Fagnano was also injured Sunday and wore
Fagnano was also injured Sunday and wore a brace over his right ankle during Tuesday’s practice.
“Every game you got bumps and bruises,” Fagnano said. “It’s just football, a physical game we play. It feels good, though.”
Fagnano was so impressive in the preseason for Baltimore that the Ravens kept three quarterbacks on their season-opening roster for the first time in three years. He didn’t get any playing time in the regular season until Sunday, when he replaced the injured Jackson and Huntley. In his NFL debut, he finished 10-of-21 for 91 yards and one interception.
To make sure he kept ready for any
To make sure he kept ready for any chance, Fagnano held walk-throughs with his wife, Lydia, in their living room during the season.
“She probably knows the playbook just as well as us at this point,” Fagnano said.
After losing three straight games to fall into last place in the AFC North, the Ravens have been scrambling to secure depth at quarterback this week.
With Jackson and Huntley injured, Fagnano’s backups
With Jackson and Huntley injured, Fagnano’s backups are Austin Reed and Kedon Slovis, both of whom were added within four days of Thursday’s game. The Ravens signed Reed, who spent time with Baltimore in training camp, to the practice squad Monday. Baltimore signed Slovis off the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad and put him on its 53-man roster.
Fagnano becomes the second undrafted quarterback to make his first career NFL start in primetime. The first to do so was Cooper Rush, who led the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 to a late game-winning drive against the Minnesota Vikings.
Currently a 10-point underdog by DraftKings, Baltimore hasn’t been this large of a home underdog in 11 years.
The Ravens have been impressed with Fagnano’s demeanor.
He’s cool, calm and collected, Ravens coach Jesse
“He’s cool, calm and collected,” Ravens coach Jesse Minter said. “He doesn’t really get rattled.”
In another move, the Ravens placed kicker Tyler Loop (right groin) on injured reserve. Jake Moody, a third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, will be elevated off Baltimore’s practice squad and get his chance to kick for the first time this season.
Moody, 26, was 18-of-20 (90%) for the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders last season after being cut by the 49ers.
“When he’s been here, he’s kicked well in practice,” Minter said. “He’s a guy [that is] like, ‘Hey, stay ready, be ready when your number’s called, [and then] you’re ready to go.’ So, I am excited for him to have the opportunity.”
