Jacoby Brissett's debut with the Baltimore Ravens will have to wait until next week.
In the minutes after news broke that the Ravens were finalizing a trade to acquire the veteran quarterback from the Arizona Cardinals
, further reporting indicated that Brissett wouldn't be around for Baltimore's Week 9 game. According to multiple reports, the Ravens and Cardinals will not officially complete their trade until the weekend.Baltimore head coach Jesse Minter announced Tuesday, Nov. 3 that undrafted free agent rookie Joe Fagnano would make his first career start against the Jacksonville Jaguars on "Thursday Night Football." Since Brissett won't officially join the Ravens until after the game, Fagnano is poised to remain the starter despite news of the pending
transaction.
Arizona and Baltimore were perfect trade partners for Brissett on paper.
The Cardinals benched the veteran midway through his eighth start this year after he underperformed against a poor Cowboys defense. Backup Gardner Minshew led Arizona to a comeback victory in overtime after entering the Week 8 game.
Meanwhile, the Ravens' quarterback situation was in dire straits. After Lamar Jackson sustained a thumb injury in Week 8 that would land him on injured reserve, backup Tyler "Snoop" Huntley suffered a season-ending toe injury in the same game.
Now Brissett, 33, is set to join the seventh different team of his career when the trade becomes official. Before his Cardinals stint, the veteran previously spent time with the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders.
Here's what to know about Brissett's Week 9 status ahead of "Thursday Night Football":
Why isn't Jacoby Brissett playing tonight?
Brissett is not yet officially on the Ravens' roster, so he is ineligible to play for the team on "Thursday Night Football."
Baltimore will not finalize its trade for the veteran quarterback until the weekend, according to multiple reports. Until the transaction becomes official, Brissett will remain on the Cardinals' roster.
As a result, the Ravens are sticking with Fagnano, their undrafted rookie quarterback, for the start against Jacksonville on Thursday, Nov. 5. In his first career game last week, Fagnano was 10-of-21 (47.6%) passing for 91 yards and an interception against the Bills. He also rushed three times for three yards.
Jacoby Brissett stats
Brissett was having a decent start to his 2026 season before struggling against the Cowboys in Week 8. Here's how his year has looked by the numbers:
- Games (starts): 8 (8)
- Completion rate: 193-of-305 (63.3%)
- Passing yards: 1,719
- Passing touchdowns: 10
- Interceptions: 7
- Passer rating: 79.7
- Fumbles (lost): 0 (0)
- Rushing: 29 attempts for 87 yards (3.0 yards per attempt)
Ravens QB depth chart
- Joe Fagnano
- Kedon Slovis
- Lamar Jackson (out – thumb)
- Tyler Huntley (out – toe)
Baltimore has two active quarterbacks on its roster ahead of Week 9. Fagnano is the only one who has been with the Ravens since the start of the season – Slovis signed with the team on Tuesday, Nov. 3, following the injuries to Jackson and Huntley.
Both Jackson and Huntley – the Ravens' top two quarterbacks just last week – are expected to land on injured reserve in the coming days. Jackson's thumb injury requires surgery and will keep him out for at least four games. Huntley is reportedly out for the season with his turf toe injury. Skylar Thompson, whom the Ravens signed earlier this year, is also on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury.
Outside of the quarterbacks listed, Baltimore also has Austin Reed on its practice squad. Reed, who played in the UFL in the spring, was on the Ravens' training camp roster before his release ahead of the regular season. He re-signed with the Ravens' practice squad on Monday, Nov. 2.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Jacoby Brissett playing today for Ravens? QB’s status for 'Thursday Night Football'
