The Ravens will start undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano on Thursday night against Jacksonville

Joe Fagnano will make his first NFL start Thursday night when the Ravens host the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coach Jesse Minter announced it Tuesday, according to ESPN and NFL.com.

"We'll be starting Joe at quarterback this week on Thursday," Minter said, per CBS Sports. "An opportunity we're fired up about."

Fagnano went undrafted out of UConn this spring and spent the season as Baltimore's third quarterback. He had not taken a regular-season snap until Sunday in Buffalo. Lamar Jackson hurt his right thumb on the Ravens' first offensive snap, and Tyler Huntley left with a toe injury. Fagnano played most of the 36-10 loss and went 10 of 21 for 91 yards with an interception.

He'll be the second undrafted rookie to start at quarterback in the Ravens' 32-year history. Anthony Brown did it in the 2022 regular-season finale against Cincinnati, per NFL.com and Ravens Wire.

A thin room behind him

ESPN reported that Jackson is headed to injured reserve with an injury that could end his season, and that Huntley is a candidate for IR as well. The backups behind Fagnano both arrived within four days of kickoff. Baltimore signed Kedon Slovis off Green Bay's practice squad to the 53-man roster and brought Austin Reed back on the practice squad Monday.

Fagnano isn't fully healthy either. He wore a brace on his right ankle at Tuesday's practice, according to ESPN, though NFL.com said he was upgraded to a full participant.

"Every game you got bumps and bruises," Fagnano said. "It's just football, a physical game we play. It feels good, though."

Minter likes how he carries himself. "He's cool, calm and collected," the coach said. "He doesn't really get rattled."

Kicker change, too

The Ravens also put kicker Tyler Loop on injured reserve with a right groin injury. ESPN reported that Jake Moody will be elevated from the practice squad to kick Thursday. Moody made 18 of 20 field goals for the Bears and Commanders last season.

The game

Jacksonville (5-2) visits Baltimore (4-4) at 8:15 p.m. ET Thursday on Prime Video. The Ravens have lost three straight and sit last in the AFC North, per ESPN.