The Baltimore Ravens built their offense around Lamar Jackson‘s arm and the speed he brings outside the pocket, and that approach has made the Ravens dangerous. Now they must keep their season alive without the quarterback who shapes everything they do.
Jackson will go on injured reserve after hurting his right thumb against Buffalo. Tyler Huntley hurt his toe in the same game, while rookie Joe Fagnano finished despite an ankle issue, so Baltimore faces Jacksonville with no fully healthy quarterback on its 53-man roster.
Why the Ravens Need a Real Quarterback Plan Beyond Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson’s Injury Leaves Baltimore Without its Engine
Jackson hurt his throwing thumb on the first offensive play against Buffalo, when his hand hit Gregory Rousseau. He will undergo surgery and miss at least four games, and coach Jesse Minter has not ruled out a season-ending absence.
The injury landed after Jackson had already missed three games with an ankle problem. Baltimore went 1-2 in that stretch with Huntley starting, scoring 30 points in a win over Atlanta before managing 10 against Cleveland and 13 against Cincinnati. Jackson’s earlier ankle injury had forced Baltimore to adjust its offense once already.
Tyler Huntley is a Useful Backup, Not a Season-Long Answer
Huntley has completed 76 of 110 passes for 727 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception. He led Baltimore to a 30-23 overtime win over Atlanta, throwing for 201 yards and two touchdowns.
His other two starts ended in losses, with Baltimore scoring 10 points against Cleveland and 13 against Cincinnati. Huntley then left the Buffalo game with a toe injury, did not practice Monday, and is expected to miss Thursday’s game against Jacksonville.
Joe Fagnano has Little Time to Prepare
Fagnano entered against Buffalo once Jackson and Huntley went down. He completed 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards, threw an interception and lost a fumble, a line that shows the difficulty of an NFL debut without a starter’s preparation.
The rookie had no first-team practice reps because he spent the week helping the defense prepare for Josh Allen. He was limited in Monday’s walkthrough with an ankle injury, although Minter said he had a chance to play Thursday. Fagnano led all NFL quarterbacks with 509 passing yards in three preseason games, which earned him a roster spot, but he did not prove he is ready to lead a regular-season offense.
Baltimore Needs a Different Plan Without Lamar Jackson
The Ravens cannot ask Fagnano or another backup to copy Jackson. His running threat changes defensive fronts and creates passing windows that other quarterbacks cannot open the same way, so Baltimore has to shape the offense around whoever is available.
That means handing Derrick Henry more work. It also means shorter throws and simpler reads for whoever takes the snaps.
The core of the attack runs through Jackson, with Henry and Zay Flowers beside him. A comparison of AFC North quarterback, running back and receiver groups shows how much teams lean on those connections, but the Ravens need a plan that holds up when Jackson is absent. Against Buffalo, they managed 144 total yards and converted three of 13 third downs.
An Emergency Signing is Not a Full Solution
Baltimore signed Austin Reed to its practice squad Monday. He knows the playbook after spending part of training camp and the preseason with the team, and he completed six of 12 passes for 59 yards with one touchdown and one interception across three preseason games.
That signing adds depth, but Baltimore needs more than a body at quarterback. It needs a plan for the weeks Jackson cannot play, and the Ravens entered the season expecting him to remain among the league’s best. A preseason projection of the NFL’s top quarterbacks placed him among the leading players at his position, which is why his absence changes the offense in ways a practice-squad signing cannot quickly solve.
The Last Word
Baltimore is 4-4 after three straight losses, and Jacksonville visits Thursday, November 5. Jackson will miss at least four games, while Huntley is expected to sit and Fagnano is dealing with an ankle injury.
The Ravens cannot replace Jackson’s talent overnight, but they can simplify the offense and lean on Henry. They can also prepare a healthy option behind Fagnano. Their season now depends on more than waiting for Jackson to return.
Main Image: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
