With Lamar Jackson out with an injury, the Baltimore Ravens started Joe Fagnano at quarterback for Thursday Night Football’s showdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, as the game approaches halftime, the Ravens are struggling offensively, trailing 17-3. Fagnano has generated only 33 yards of total offense, including 29 passing yards on 7-of-11 passes.

NFL commentator Skip Bayless used this opportunity to mock Baltimore’s decision to cut Diego Pavia after signing him as an undrafted free agent. The Ravens waived Pavia to make room for veteran center Ethan Pocic just before training camp. This left Baltimore’s quarterback depth compromised, as Thursday’s game has shown.

“If Diego Pavia were starting tonight at QB for the Ravens, they’d have a much better chance of winning,” Bayless wrote.

After going undrafted in the 2026 NFL draft, Pavia was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent. The reigning Heisman finalist was waived just before training camp while fighting to become the Ravens’ third-string quarterback behind Jackson and Tyler Huntley. By removing the former Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback, Baltimore narrowed its quarterback competition to Skylar Thompson and fellow undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano.

With Fagnano not performing well in the passing game, the Ravens are forced to rely on their running game, and so far it has proven to be ineffective. The Jaguars entered halftime with a 14-point lead.

Why Are Ravens’ QBs Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley Not Playing TNF Showdown vs. Jaguars?

The Ravens were without Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football. Both quarterbacks suffered injuries in last week’s 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Jackson suffered a right thumb injury on his first offensive snap against Buffalo. His throwing hand collided with a Bills defender while attempting a pass to Zay Flowers. The injury required surgery and the quarterback was placed on injured reserve.

Meanwhile, Huntley suffered a toe injury during the first half against Buffalo. The injury was diagnosed as turf toe. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that it was expected to be season-ending. He was placed on injured reserve after the game.

As a result, Baltimore had to turn to Joe Fagnano to start against the Jaguars on Thursday. The undrafted rookie quarterback had also suffered an injury against Buffalo but got the nod to start against Jacksonville. Due to injuries, Baltimore also signed Austin Reed to its active roster to serve as Fagnano’s backup. Kedon Slovis was another quarterback on the roster but was inactive for the game.