The Baltimore Ravens face a severe quarterback shortage with just two days before their Thursday night matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After losing starter Lamar Jackson to a thumb injury and backup Tyler Huntley to a toe injury in Sunday's 36-10 loss to Buffalo, the team has been forced to explore emergency options.
New additions
On Tuesday, the Ravens signed Kedon Slovis off the Green Bay Packers' practice squad. Slovis, an undrafted rookie in 2024, has never started an NFL game and has thrown only two career passes, both in mop-up duty for the Arizona Cardinals last season. The move reunites him with Ravens quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork, who held the same role in Arizona when Slovis was on the roster.
Baltimore also worked out 2024 UFL MVP Adrian Martinez, who has appeared in one regular-season game for the San Francisco 49ers, but he has not been signed. On Monday, the team added Austin Reed to the practice squad; Reed spent part of training camp and the preseason with the Ravens, completing 6 of 12 passes for 59 yards with one touchdown and one interception in three preseason games.
Possible starters
Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, who played most of the Bills game and went 10-of-21 for 91 yards with an interception, is dealing with an ankle injury. Coach Jesse Minter said after Monday's walkthrough that Fagnano is "fighting through a couple things" but expects him to have a chance to play Thursday. If Fagnano starts, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle will tailor the game plan to the rookie.
If Fagnano cannot play, the Ravens will turn to either Slovis or Reed. Both are undrafted rookies with no regular-season starting experience. Slovis, having been signed off another team's practice squad, has a guaranteed spot on the 53-man roster this week. The team could carry three active quarterbacks as insurance for Fagnano's ankle.
All three available quarterbacks went undrafted, and they have appeared in a combined three career NFL games. The Ravens explored a trade for Chicago Bears backup Tyson Bagent, but the Bears' Monday night game likely prevented a deal. Baltimore may still add another quarterback before Thursday, but as of now the options remain Fagnano, Slovis, or Reed.
