NFL Injury · Week 9
NFL Week 9 Injury Crisis: Ravens Turn to a Rookie, Eagles Name a New Starter
Lamar Jackson is out. Tyler Huntley is out for the season. Joe Fagnano starts tonight. The Baltimore Ravens open Week 9 on Thursday Night Football with an undrafted rookie at quarterback, a Brissett trade that will not be done in time. Joe Milton III starts Sunday for the Philadelphia Eagles. Sam Darnold is out, Garrett Wilson is in concussion protocol, and Bhayshul Tuten is a game-time decision for tonight.
Quick Answer
- Game
- Jaguars at Ravens
- Kickoff
- Tonight, 8:15 PM ET
- Network
- Prime Video
- Venue
- M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
- Final word
- Inactives at 6:45 PM ET
- Ravens QB
- Joe Fagnano — first NFL start
The Baltimore quarterback crisis: Fagnano tonight, Brissett next week
Lamar Jackson hurt his right thumb on Baltimore's first snap against Buffalo. He needs surgery, he is headed to injured reserve, and coach Jesse Minter said it could potentially end his season.
Jackson had just returned from a three-game ankle absence. In four games he threw for 967 yards, six touchdowns and one interception.
Tyler Huntley replaced Jackson and lasted until the second quarter, when a toe injury ended his day. It was season-ending turf toe. That leaves the job to undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano.
Fagnano took a low hit on Sunday but practiced fully Tuesday. He is only the second undrafted rookie quarterback to start for the Ravens.
The cavalry is coming, just not tonight. Baltimore is finalizing a trade with Arizona for veteran Jacoby Brissett, expected to be completed this weekend. He cannot play Thursday.
Jack Campbell's update, and what it means for the Lions
The week's most serious injury had nothing to do with quarterbacks. Detroit linebacker Jack Campbell suffered a neck injury tackling T.J. Hockenson in Sunday's win over Minnesota. He lay motionless and face down, was put on a backboard, and was carted to hospital.
On Wednesday, Campbell spoke for himself for the first time. He has full movement in his lower body and is making progress with movement in his upper body. "I remain very optimistic," he said.
No timeline for a return, and none should be guessed at. Campbell, 26, was a first-team All-Pro last season.
Micah Parsons is back at practice — but not back on Sunday
Green Bay got its best news of the week on Wednesday, and it still does not change Sunday. Micah Parsons returned to practice for the first time since tearing his ACL last December, taking part in individual drills only. His 21-day window off the PUP list is now open.
Parsons had surgery in late December for the ACL and a meniscus injury. He will not play Sunday against the Patriots, and his realistic debut is Thanksgiving week against the Rams. He is a stash, not a start.
Joe Milton III is the Eagles' new starter
Philadelphia made the week's second quarterback change on Wednesday. The Eagles are naming Joe Milton III their starter for Sunday against the New York Giants, benching Tanner McKee. On Monday, Nick Sirianni had said McKee was the starter. Two days later, the change was made.
McKee started the last three games after Jalen Hurts was lost for the season with blood clots. He went 0-3, completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 638 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Milton is not a rookie. He is a third-year quarterback, a sixth-round pick of the Patriots in 2024, who joined the Cowboys in a trade in April 2025 and was signed off Dallas' practice squad by the Eagles on October 16. Sunday is his first NFL start.
The game is Sunday at 1:00 PM ET at Lincoln Financial Field. The Giants are 4-2-1, with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. A first start for a 2-6 team is a gamble. In superflex leagues he is a desperate start.
Week 9 injury status dashboard
Garrett Wilson is in concussion protocol after a helmet-to-helmet hit late on Sunday. He did not practice Wednesday and must clear the five-step protocol to play at Kansas City. Adonai Mitchell is the pickup if he sits.
Sam Darnold is out with a quad injury, ruled out for Sunday against Arizona. Drew Lock starts at 4:25 PM ET.
Bhayshul Tuten is a game-time decision for Thursday night. He sat out Monday and Tuesday with foot and ankle injuries but was feeling better Wednesday. If he cannot go, Chris Rodriguez Jr. takes the extra work.
| Player (Team) | Position | Status | Fantasy Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson (Ravens) | QB | Out — thumb, IR | Drop in redraft |
| Tyler Huntley (Ravens) | QB | Out — season | Drop everywhere |
| Joe Fagnano (Ravens) | QB | Starts tonight | Not a start |
| Jacoby Brissett (Ravens) | QB | Not eligible tonight | Stash in superflex |
| Joe Milton III (Eagles) | QB | Starts Sunday | Desperate superflex only |
| Jack Campbell (Lions) | LB | Out — neck injury | Drop in IDP |
| Micah Parsons (Packers) | EDGE | Out Sunday — practicing | Stash in IDP |
| Sam Darnold (Seahawks) | QB | Out — quad | Drop in 1QB |
| Garrett Wilson (Jets) | WR | Questionable — concussion | Have Mitchell ready |
| Bhayshul Tuten (Jaguars) | RB | Questionable — foot/ankle | Game-time call |
What to do before kickoff
Start with tonight: inactives come out at 6:45 PM ET and settle Tuten, so have Rodriguez on your bench. Then look at the weekend: Brissett is the one stash that costs nothing in superflex, Wilson is the decision that hurts most if you get it wrong, and Parsons is the same move in IDP leagues.
Quick answers
Is Lamar Jackson playing tonight? No. Jackson needs thumb surgery and is on injured reserve. It could potentially end his season.
Who starts for the Ravens tonight? Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, making his first NFL start.
Is Jacoby Brissett playing tonight? No. The trade will not be completed until the weekend. He debuts in Week 10 against the Chargers.
Is Joe Milton III starting Sunday? Yes. The Eagles named Milton their starter on Wednesday, replacing Tanner McKee.
Is Micah Parsons playing Sunday? No. Parsons returned to practice for individual drills only. He will not play Sunday.
Is Garrett Wilson playing Sunday? Wilson is in concussion protocol and day-to-day, a game-time decision against the Chiefs.
Is Sam Darnold playing Sunday? No. Darnold is ruled out Sunday against the Cardinals. Drew Lock starts.
- USA Today — Jackson's thumb surgery and injured reserve, Huntley's season-ending turf toe, and Fagnano's first start.
- NBC Sports — The Ravens are finalizing a trade with the Cardinals for Jacoby Brissett, expected to be completed over the weekend.
- Reuters — Jack Campbell's statement: full movement in his lower body, progress in his upper body, and optimism about his recovery.
- Packers Wire (USA Today) — Micah Parsons returns to practice, limited to individual drills, opening his 21-day window off the PUP list.
- NBC Sports — The Eagles name Joe Milton III the starter for Week 9 against the Giants.
- NewYorkJets.com (official team site) — Garrett Wilson is in concussion protocol and day-to-day ahead of Week 9 against the Chiefs.
- USA Today — Sam Darnold ruled out with a quad injury, and Bhayshul Tuten a game-time decision with foot and ankle injuries.