It’s time for rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano to take center stage. On Thursday night, the undrafted UConn product will go from simulating plays in his living room with his wife to making his first NFL start against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
First-year Baltimore Ravens coach Jessie Minter confirmed that Fagnano, who has spent most of the season as the team’s No. 3 quarterback, will start Thursday night. It is unclear whether Tyler Huntley will serve as his backup after the veteran quarterback sustained an injury in the Ravens’ Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
With his start in Week 9, Fagnano will become only the second undrafted rookie to start a regular-season game for the Ravens. “It’s special,” Fagnano said. “It’s really the only way I can think about it.”
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Fagnano is moving to the top of Baltimore’s depth chart after Lamar Jackson’s return from a three-game absence was cut short by a thumb injury early in Sunday’s 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Jackson had missed those games because of a high left ankle sprain.
Fagnano has also dealt with injury concerns after stepping in for the injured Jackson and Huntley. He practiced with a brace on his right ankle on Tuesday. “Every game you got bumps and bruises,” Fagnano said. “It’s just football, a physical game we play. It feels good, though.”
Fagnano earned one of the Ravens roster spots after he put together what was widely considered a strong preseason. The 25-year-old threw for 91 yards in his NFL debut.
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“He’s cool, calm and collected,” Minter said about Fagnano. “He doesn’t really get rattled.”
Baltimore has dropped three consecutive games and enters Week 9 in the cellar of the AFC North.
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The Ravens recently added quarterbacks Austin Reed and Kedon Slovis to the roster as injuries depleted the position.
Only one undrafted quarterback, Cooper Rush, has made his first regular-season start in a prime-time game. That number will rise to two Thursday when Fagnano takes the first snap for the Ravens.