Baltimore Ravens lose both starting quarterbacks to injury in Buffalo
Lamar Jackson requires surgery after a thumb injury on the first play, while backup Tyler Huntley exits with a foot problem, forcing undrafted Joe Fagnano into his first NFL start.
By Riya Ross ·
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered a right thumb injury on the first offensive play of the season-opening game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The two-time MVP was ruled out shortly after the snap, and head coach Jesse Minter confirmed that Jackson will undergo surgery and move to injured reserve. Jackson’s throwing hand collided with Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau as he followed through on a pass attempt. He jogged off the field immediately with his hand held motionless.
Jackson had returned to the lineup in this game after missing time earlier in the season with a high ankle sprain. His injury occurred while the Bills held a 7-0 lead. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley entered the game to replace Jackson. Huntley had started the previous three games while Jackson was sidelined, posting a 1-2 record.
Huntley’s time at the helm ended midway through the second quarter. He suffered a toe injury after being tackled by Bills defensive end Ed Oliver. The Ravens initially listed him as questionable to return, but they officially ruled him out at halftime. With both primary options unavailable, the team turned to its emergency third quarterback, Joe Fagnano.
Fagnano, 25, had never played an NFL snap before Sunday. He went undrafted in April after his time at UConn. On his first possession, he completed two passes for 28 yards before the Ravens’ field goal attempt from 34 yards out was missed by Tyler Loop. For the remainder of the contest, Fagnano completed 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards and one interception.
The Ravens fell to the Bills by a score of 36-10. The defeat leaves Baltimore with a 4-3 record. The team faces the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night for its next game. With Jackson and Huntley out for the rest of the season, Fagnano is scheduled to start that matchup.
The loss of both quarterbacks creates a gap in the depth chart for the AFC North division. Minter reported the surgical needs for Jackson after the final whistle. The Bills scored on their opening drive to take the early lead that they maintained throughout the afternoon.
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
