Why Ravens Trust Joe Fagnano in First NFL Start vs. Jaguars
The Ravens are turning to undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano for his first NFL start after injuries sidelined Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Baltimore trusts Fagnano’s experience, command of the playbook and steady preseason performance—but he faces a difficult test against Jacksonville on a short week, with the Ravens looking to halt a three-game losing streak.
By the Numbers- 509 passing yards led the NFL in the preseason.
- 45 college starts across seven seasons.
- One interception in 75 preseason attempts.
- 10-of-21 passing for 91 yards, with one interception and one lost fumble, in relief against Buffalo.
Fagnano showed poise and made difficult throws against Buffalo, but also struggled under pressure in a lopsided loss. This time, he’ll have advance preparation as the starter, though an ankle injury and Jacksonville’s elite defense add to the challenge.
State of Play- Jackson is headed to injured reserve with a thumb injury; Huntley is reportedly out for the season with a toe injury.
- Fagnano is set to start Thursday night against Jacksonville.
- Baltimore is last in the AFC North and has lost three straight.
- Teammates, including Zay Flowers, Calais Campbell and Derrick Henry, have voiced confidence in Fagnano.
Fagnano’s first start could shape Baltimore’s effort to steady its season. The Ravens will need him to manage the offense and get support from the playmakers around him.
Bottom LineBaltimore’s belief in Fagnano rests on preparation and composure—not NFL starting experience. Thursday will show whether that trust can translate into a much-needed win.
Read more at www.baltimoreravens.com
The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI

