Ravens Forced to Start Rookie After Jackson and Huntley Injuries

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Fagnano threw his first professional pass on Sunday after both team leaders left the game against the Buffalo Bills.

The injury occurred on the opening offensive snap. Lamar Jackson, returning from a three-game ankle absence, dropped back to throw to Zay Flowers. His right hand struck the arm of Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau during the follow-through. Jackson pointed to the thumb on his throwing hand and exited the field. The team listed him as questionable initially, then ruled him out before the first quarter concluded.

Tyler Huntley took over as the backup but also exited the game. He was sacked by safety Cole Bishop and fumbled the ball on third-and-8 at the Baltimore 40-yard line. Huntley appeared to injure his toe during the play. The Ravens listed his return as questionable before ruling him out to start the third quarter.

Fagnano, an undrafted rookie from Connecticut, entered the game as the emergency backup. He completed his first two passes for a total of 28 yards.

The loss of Jackson affects a team with a 4-3 record. In the three games Jackson missed this season, the Ravens went 1-2. The offense scored 63 fewer points and averaged three fewer yards per play during that stretch compared to the first three games of the year.