The Baltimore Ravens need to stabilize their quarterback situation, and they need to do it fast. Lamar Jackson returned from a three-game absence against Buffalo but injured his right thumb on his first offensive play back and now needs surgery. Backup Tyler Huntley then suffered a toe injury in the second quarter, while emergency third-string quarterback Joe Fagnano was injured on a low hit and is now dealing with an ankle issue.

The Ravens have now lost three games in a row and need to find an answer soon. Former Pro Bowler T.J. Houshmandzadeh suggested Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders as a potential trade candidate for Baltimore.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh Suggests Shedeur Sanders Trade to Ravens

Houshmandzadeh wasn’t the first to suggest Sanders as a potential fit for the Ravens. Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpediscussed reports that the former Colorado quarterback did not want to be drafted by Baltimore because he would have been stuck behind Lamar Jackson.

Baltimore had to turn to emergency third-stringer Joe Fagnano against the Bills for his NFL debut. He finished 10 of 21 for 91 yards with an interception.

With Fagnano limited in practice and the Ravens facing a short week before Thursday’s game against the Jaguars, Baltimore needs a healthy option at quarterback. Sanders could provide that, along with NFL starting experience, if the Browns are willing to trade him.

“Any situation where you can get on the field and play extensively and not have to look over your shoulder, that’s a perfect situation,” Houshmandzadeh said. “So, would the Baltimore Ravens be a great situation? Absolutely, it would be. They need a quarterback.”

“To me, Shedeur Sanders wants to play,” he added. “I’m sure Shedeur Sanders is like, ‘Man, I just want to go anywhere where I can just play.’ We know Lamar is going to be the long-term quarterback in Baltimore… If he (Sanders) was to get traded in the next week or so… You’re going to get at least seven starts. You’ve got to be able to show what you can do in those seven games. You may get eight starts, and so any situation where he’s a starter is a situation for him.”

Houshmandzadeh pointed out that the biggest obstacle to a Sanders trade could be Cleveland’s reluctance to help a division rival.

He compared the situation to the Browns trading Joe Flacco to the Bengals and suggested Cleveland would have to think carefully about sending another quarterback to a team in the AFC North, especially if Sanders went to Baltimore and played well.

Sanders, who ranked third-worst last year in the league on PFN’s QB Impact Metric, entered the 2026 season in a quarterback battle with Deshaun Watson, who was coming off multiple Achilles tears.

Sanders lost the starting job to Watson, but after the veteran quarterback struggled in the season opener, it appeared Sanders could eventually get another chance. Instead, Cleveland and Watson settled in, helping the Browns reach 5-3 while leaving the former Colorado star without a meaningful role.

An opportunity to prove that Sanders belongs as an NFL starter could help his career, while the Ravens would get a quarterback with NFL starting experience.

Fagnano is expected to be in the mix to start on Thursday night against Jacksonville, but the undrafted rookie out of UConn could face a difficult challenge against the Jaguars, especially while dealing with an ankle issue.

Sanders was part of one of the worst offenses in football last season, but a new regime and added weapons have changed the outlook of Cleveland’s offense. Still, he might be better suited elsewhere. As Houshmandzadeh suggested, Baltimore could make sense as a landing spot if the Browns are willing to deal him within the AFC North.