Lamar Jackson’s return from a three-week absence lasted one play. On the opening snap against the Buffalo Bills on 1 November, the two-time MVP’s right hand collided with Bills pass rusher Gregory Rousseau on a throw, and he immediately grabbed the hand and left the field. The Ravens placed him on injured reserve on Thursday 5 November, alongside backup Tyler Huntley, and head coach Jesse Minter confirmed Jackson will have surgery on the thumb.
Jackson had been out since Week 4 with a high-ankle sprain picked up against Tennessee. Huntley, who had started the three games in between, hurt his toe in the first half of the Buffalo game after coming on for Jackson. Huntley’s injury is reported as season-ending turf toe. Jackson could miss the rest of the year, but the Ravens have not given a firm timeline.
Fagnano’s debut ends 33-10
Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano started hours after both quarterbacks were placed on IR, as Baltimore hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars in rainy conditions on Thursday Night Football. Jacksonville forced three turnovers, allowed 10 or fewer points for a second straight game, and pulled away for a 33-10 win. The Ravens’ three backup quarterbacks had entered the night with a combined 89 career passing yards and no touchdowns.
Baltimore is 4-5. Four straight defeats, three of them by more than 20 points, have delivered two franchise-worst markers: the first time the Ravens have lost three consecutive games by 20 points or more, and the first time they have been held under 14 points in four straight games.
Read also: Nathan MacKinnon on pace for historic NHL season after three-point avalanche masterclass
Minter was blunt after Thursday.
“Tough situation for our guys, but I just told them there’s no excuses. We don’t have this guy, we don’t have that guy.”
He also called the offence’s pre-snap penalties “unacceptable” and said an explosive play just before halftime “kind of broke the game open.”
Brissett arrives from Arizona
The emergency fix came the next morning. Baltimore finalised a trade with the Arizona Cardinals on 6 November for Jacoby Brissett, sending a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 seventh-round pick for the quarterback and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Arizona is covering more than half of his remaining salary.
Read also: Chelsea face Inter Milan and Saudi competition for €50m Aston Villa star
Brissett had asked for a trade on Monday after the Cardinals named Gardner Minshew II their starter. He is 33 and has 73 career starts across seven franchises, and he will reunite with Ravens quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork, who held the same role in Arizona last season.
Running back Derrick Henry welcomed the move.
“We need all hands on deck. I feel like [Brissett] can come in and help us. We’ll be excited to have him, and we’ll see where it goes.”
Baltimore has its bye after the Jacksonville loss. Brissett makes his first start for the Ravens on Monday 16 November, at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Read also: Arsenal have surprise new Premier League title challenger after Brighton’s latest victory
Read also: “I can’t say i lead a happy life’: Elina Svitolina opens up after Gaël Monfils separation
