Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano to start for Ravens after Huntley's season ends

Baltimore Ravens fans will watch an undrafted rookie take the field Thursday night, a change that arrives after the team lost its backup quarterback to injury. Tyler Huntley, known by his nickname Snoop, is out for the season with turf toe. ESPN reporter Adam Schefter confirmed the diagnosis, which stems from an injury suffered during Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Huntley exited the game before halftime and was already ruled out for the upcoming contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His departure leaves the team with a thin group of options at the position. The starting role now falls to Joe Fagnano, who made the roster out of training camp but has not yet started a regular-season game. Fagnano is expected to make his NFL debut this week.

The rookie is managing his own physical issues while preparing for the game. He practiced with his right ankle heavily taped and wore a boot, though he indicated he is ready to play. This uncertainty compounds the team's challenges, as they are also without their primary starter, Lamar Jackson. Jackson was placed on injured reserve Tuesday and requires surgery on his right thumb.

To bolster the depth chart, Baltimore added two more quarterbacks this week. Austin Reed, who participated in the preseason, signed with the practice squad on Monday. Kedon Slovis joined the team on Tuesday from the Green Bay Packers' practice squad. Slovis brings some familiarity to the offense, having worked under quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork in Arizona last season.

Head coach Jesse Minter expressed confidence in the transition, citing Fagnano's performance during the preseason. The coaching staff believes the rookie's preparation is sufficient for the immediate challenge. The team now faces the Jaguars with a quarterback room that lacks extensive professional experience, relying on a player who entered the league as a free agent from camp.