Who Is Joe Fagnano? Ravens' Undrafted Rookie QB Debuts After Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley Injuries

The Baltimore Ravens went through three quarterbacks before halftime on Sunday in Buffalo. Lamar Jackson hurt his thumb on the first offensive play. Backup Tyler Huntley went down with a toe injury in the second quarter. That left Joe Fagnano, an undrafted rookie with no first-team practice reps that week, to play most of a 36-10 loss to the Bills.

Citing ESPN’s stats group, the Ravens’ team website said Baltimore was the first team since the 2017 Cowboys to have three quarterbacks throw a pass before halftime.

What happened to Tyler Huntley?

Huntley had started Baltimore’s previous three games while Jackson was out with an ankle injury. On Sunday, per CBS Sports, his foot was caught and rolled up on by Bills defender Ed Oliver during a tackle in the second quarter. He hurt his right toe, was listed as questionable to return and then was ruled out.

The Ravens say Huntley’s status going forward is unknown.

Jackson’s day was even shorter. CBS Sports reported that in his first game back from the ankle injury, he hit his thumb on Bills defender Gregory Rousseau on Baltimore’s first offensive snap and went straight to the locker room. According to the Ravens, Jackson is now headed for surgery and injured reserve.

Joe Fagnano’s NFL debut

Fagnano gave the offense a brief lift when he came in. He hit rookie tight end Josh Cuevas for 15 yards and rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane for 13. But the Bills blitzed often against a struggling offensive line, and Baltimore could not keep drives going.

His final line, per the Ravens: 10-of-21 passing for 91 yards, one interception and one lost fumble. He also dealt with a lower-body injury in the second half. An earlier CBS Sports update, written during the game, had him at 10-of-12 for 91 yards. The team’s postgame figure is the complete line.

Who is Joe Fagnano?

Fagnano is a 25-year-old rookie with a long college path, according to CBS Sports:

• Maine (FCS): He started as a walk-on in 2019 and soon won the backup job and a scholarship. He made his first college start after the starter got hurt and threw five touchdown passes in an upset of FBS program Liberty. COVID-19 limited Maine to four games in 2020, and an injury kept him to four games in 2021.
• UConn: He transferred after a solid 2022. A shoulder injury ended his first season two games in. He played most of 2024, then broke out in 2025 with 3,448 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and one interception.
• Ravens: He was invited to a rookie tryout and beat out Diego Pavia for a spot on the summer roster. The Ravens say he led all NFL quarterbacks with 509 passing yards in three preseason games, with three touchdowns, one interception and a 100.4 passer rating.

Ravens emergency QB: who’s next?

The CBS broadcast said running back Justice Hill would be Baltimore’s emergency quarterback if Fagnano also got hurt. That didn’t happen, but it shows how thin the room has become.

What’s next for the Ravens’ 3rd-string QB

The timing is rough. Baltimore hosts the first-place Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night at M&T Bank Stadium, and with Jackson headed for surgery and Huntley’s status unclear, the Ravens’ website says Fagnano could make his first career start. The loss in Buffalo was also part of a losing streak that CBS Sports said was at two games before kickoff.

Quick FAQ

Who is Joe Fagnano? An undrafted rookie quarterback from UConn (by way of Maine) who was Baltimore’s emergency third QB.

What happened to Tyler Huntley? He hurt his right toe when Ed Oliver rolled up on his foot in the second quarter and was ruled out.

What happened to Lamar Jackson? He injured his thumb on the first offensive play. The Ravens say he is headed for surgery and injured reserve.

Who won Ravens vs. Bills? Buffalo, 36-10.