The Ravens' quarterback injuries didn't stop with Lamar Jackson.
Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano made his NFL debut Sunday in Buffalo as the emergency third quarterback after Tyler Huntley also went down with a toe injury in the first half.
Baltimore became the first team to have three quarterbacks throw a pass before halftime of a game since the 2017 Cowboys, per ESPN Research. That's before Jackson even entered the NFL.
"That's a tough deal, and then the next guy [Huntley] as well [going down]," Head Coach Jesse Minter said.
"I thought Joe came in â to his credit, not really getting a lot of reps in preparation â hung in there, did some good stuff."
Amidst a blitz-happy Bills defense that stressed Baltimore's offensive line and with zero first-team reps in practice this week, Fagnano had tough sledding in the Ravens' 36-10 loss to the Bills.
He was 10-of-21 for 91 passing yards, had one interception and lost one fumble. Even he dealt with a lower-body injury in the second half after an illegal hit.
Now, with Jackson headed for surgery and injured reserve and Huntley's status unknown moving forward, Fagnano could make his first career start Thursday night against the first-place Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium.
"[I'll] control what I can control," Fagnano said. "If it is me and whoever's down or whatever it is, I'm just going to put my best foot forward and give the Ravens everything that I have. That's all I can do at the end of the day."
Fagnano had a fantastic preseason in which he led all NFL quarterbacks with 509 passing yards in three games. He threw three touchdowns to one interception and posted a 100.4 passer rating.
But playing a top team in a regular-season game when thrust into action is a tall task.
Fagnano gave the Ravens' offense an immediate spark upon entering the game. He connected with rookie tight end Josh Cuevas for a 15-yard gain, then hit rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane for a 13-yard pickup. The Ravens struggled to maintain momentum, however.
Baltimore's offense mustered just 144 total yards and was 3-of-13 on third down.
"It's tough to see Lamar go down like that," Fagnano said. "Especially, like you said, I had firsthand witness of him coming in the training room every day, fighting to get back for this team, and then one play, that happens."
