Ravens Sign Kedon Slovis and Bring Back Austin Reed With All Three Quarterbacks Hurt

Two days before a prime-time home game, the Baltimore Ravens do not have a healthy quarterback. Lamar Jackson's right thumb needs surgery, Tyler Huntley's toe has him sidelined, and Joe Fagnano, the undrafted rookie who finished Sunday's game, is playing through an ankle injury. So Baltimore spent Monday and Tuesday restocking the room, bringing back Austin Reed on the practice squad and signing Kedon Slovis to the 53-man roster off the Green Bay Packers' practice squad.

Both newcomers now have a crash course in front of them. The Ravens host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 8:15 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium on Prime Video.

How the Room Emptied in Buffalo

It took less than two quarters. Jackson, back from a high ankle sprain, lasted one snap in Sunday's 36-10 loss to the Bills before his right hand collided with Gregory Rousseau on a throw. Huntley replaced him and left in the second quarter with the toe injury after a strip-sack. That pushed Fagnano, a former UConn quarterback who had been running the scout team, into his NFL regular-season debut. He went 10 of 21 for 91 yards with an interception and a lost fumble, and he took a low hit from Bills defensive lineman Ed Oliver along the way.

"That'll be a surgery deal; he'll go to injured reserve," head coach Jesse Minter said of Jackson after the game. Asked whether the injury could end Jackson's season, Minter said "potentially." As of Monday, Jackson had not had the surgery yet, according to the team.

Fagnano was limited in Monday's walkthrough with the ankle, but Minter sounded ready to ride with him. "To Joe's credit, he's kind of fighting through a couple things he's dealing with," Minter said. "But expect him to have a chance to play on Thursday." Huntley is not expected to play.

A Familiar Face: Austin Reed

Reed is the one who already knows the building. The Ravens signed him on Monday, Nov. 2, to the practice squad and released fullback Lucas Scott from the practice squad to make room. Reed spent part of training camp in Baltimore after signing on Aug. 12, played in all three preseason games, and went 6 of 12 for 59 yards with a touchdown and an interception, plus a 14-yard rushing touchdown, before he was waived at final cuts.

The 26-year-old's résumé is mostly outside the NFL. He led the FBS with 4,746 passing yards at Western Kentucky in 2022 and later led the UFL in passing with the Dallas Renegades, including a league-record 376-yard opener this spring. He has never thrown a pass in an NFL regular-season game. The team says he will likely back up Fagnano on Thursday, which means an elevation from the practice squad.

The New Arrival: Kedon Slovis

Slovis is the bigger roster move. The Ravens signed the 25-year-old to the active roster Tuesday and placed kicker Tyler Loop (right groin) on injured reserve to open the spot, with Jake Moody taking over kicking duties. Tom Pelissero first reported the signing Tuesday morning before the team made it official.

Slovis was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year at USC in 2019 and an All-Pac-12 pick there before stops at Pittsburgh and BYU. He went undrafted in 2024, appeared in two games for the Arizona Cardinals last season and threw just two passes. This preseason, he completed 30 of 51 passes for 328 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for Arizona, including 21 of 35 for 223 yards in the finale against Green Bay. The Packers apparently liked what they saw. They added him to their practice squad two days after the Cardinals released him.

He also lands with people who know him. Ravens quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork worked with Slovis in Arizona last season, and wide receivers coach Keary Colbert was on the USC staff when Slovis played there. The team said he will jump straight into learning the offense to give himself a shot to play.

By the Numbers

• 3 quarterbacks hurt in Sunday's loss in Buffalo: Jackson (thumb), Huntley (toe) and Fagnano (ankle).
• 2 career NFL regular-season pass attempts between Slovis and Reed, both by Slovis.
• 4-4 Baltimore's record after three straight losses.
• 4 days between Sunday's loss in Buffalo and Thursday night's kickoff against Jacksonville.

What's Next

The order for Thursday looks set even if the health does not. Fagnano is in line to start on a bad ankle, with Reed and Slovis behind him after only days in the building this week. Jackson heads for surgery and injured reserve, and Baltimore will learn this week how long Huntley's toe keeps him out. For a team that has lost three straight, the short week leaves almost no time to sort it out.

Injury details, quotes and transactions from BaltimoreRavens.com, including Jesse Minter's postgame and Monday updates. Signing report by Tom Pelissero. Reed's college and pro background via Yahoo Sports. Game time from the Ravens' official schedule.