Baltimore Ravens Face Injury-Crippled Roster Against Hot Jaguars
Joe Fagnano starts for Baltimore after Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley suffered long-term injuries, while Jacksonville rides a 42-7 win over Indianapolis into Thursday night's matchup.
By Fatima Saleh ·
Baltimore Ravens fans face a steep challenge this Thursday night as their team travels to Maryland to play the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Ravens enter the game without their two primary quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, both of whom were ruled out with long-term injuries. This leaves backup quarterback Joe Fagnano to start in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season. The Ravens lost 36-10 to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, and their offensive production has been a primary concern since the losses.
The Jaguars emerge from their bye week with significant momentum. Jacksonville defeated the Indianapolis Colts 42-7 in their most recent appearance. The victory sets up a short week for the Jaguars as they prepare to face a Baltimore squad that must generate offense on the fly. The game kicks off on Thursday night, marking the first matchup of the Week 9 slate.
Prediction markets have priced in the uncertainty surrounding the Ravens offense. Derrick Henry is the most favored Baltimore player to score the first touchdown in the game, with his price set at $0.13. Other options include Zay Flowers at $0.05. The odds reflect the difficulty Baltimore will face in sustaining drives against a Jacksonville defense that has performed well against the run.
On the Jaguars side, Jakobi Meyers is the top pick for the first touchdown scorer, listed at $0.07. Running backs Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. are also favored, both priced at $0.16. Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars quarterback, is listed at $0.06 for the first score. These prices indicate that while Jacksonville is expected to control the game, the specific scorer remains a point of contention among traders.
The Jaguars are expected to run away with the contest based on recent performance. Analysts note that Meyers is a reliable target on short and intermediate routes, making him a likely candidate for a red zone score. He does not typically generate explosive plays but excels in methodical drives. This profile fits the Jaguars' current offensive strategy as they aim to manage the clock and maintain possession.
Derrick Henry presents a different risk profile for Baltimore. Despite the injury to the quarterbacks, Henry remains a physical threat who can score from various areas of the field. However, the Jaguars have contained the run effectively in recent games. This defensive strength makes a high-volume rushing game for Henry unlikely. The expectation is that Henry might break a big run early for a score, but he is not projected to set career records in this matchup.
The injury to Lamar Jackson represents a major shift for the Ravens. Jackson and Huntley are expected to be out for an extended period, forcing the coaching staff to adapt their play calling for Fagnano. The Ravens lost 36-10 to the Bills, a game that highlighted the offensive struggles. The team must now find a way to keep pace with a Jaguars offense that has shown little sign of slowing down.
The Jaguars' defense has been a key factor in their recent dominance. They contained the Colts run game in their 42-7 victory, a performance that sets the tone for Thursday's game. Baltimore will need to rely on its passing game to compensate for any limitations in the running game. The availability of Fagnano and the depth of the offensive line will be critical factors in how the game unfolds.
The matchup offers a clear contrast in team health and recent results. Jacksonville is coming off a dominant performance, while Baltimore is rebuilding its offensive identity after key injuries. The first touchdown scorer markets reflect this disparity, with Jaguars players holding lower prices and higher implied probabilities for scoring first. The game serves as a test for the Ravens' ability to compete without their starting quarterbacks.
