Ravens Turn to Unheralded Fagnano After Double Injury Blow

Lamar Jackson left the field during the first offensive play of the Baltimore Ravens' Sunday game against the Buffalo Bills, suffering an injury to the thumb of his throwing hand. The loss forced the team to rely on their third-string quarterback, rookie Joe Fagnano, after backup Tyler Huntley also exited the game early in the second quarter with a toe injury.

Jackson sustained the injury while dropping back for a pass to Zay Flowers. This was his first start after missing three games with an ankle problem. His right hand struck Buffalo pass rusher Greg Rousseau's arm during the motion, preventing Jackson from completing his follow-through. He signaled at his thumb while kneeling on the sideline before entering the tunnel. The Ravens had listed him as questionable initially but ruled him out before the first quarter ended.

Huntley took over the offense but suffered his own setback during a third-and-eight play from the Baltimore 40-yard line. Buffalo's Cole Bishop sacked Huntley, and the quarterback lost the football. The team later indicated that Huntley's return status remained questionable.

Fagnano, an undrafted rookie from Connecticut, made his NFL debut on the following possession. He completed his first two passes for a total of 28 yards. The performance offers a rare look at a player who had never previously played in a professional regular-season game.

The absence of Jackson has coincided with a sharp drop in offensive production for the team. Baltimore is 1-2 in the three games Jackson missed. During that stretch, the Ravens scored 63 fewer points than in the first three games with Jackson under center. The team also averaged three fewer yards per play in Jackson's absence.

The Ravens currently hold a 4-3 record. The double injury leaves the team managing its offensive line and timing without its primary two quarterbacks for the remainder of the contest.