The Ravens are reportedly finalizing a trade for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett in the wake of injuries to Lamar Jackson (thumb) and Tyler Huntley (toe).
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is not expected to be completed until the weekend, meaning Brissett would be slated to make his Ravens debut the following Monday versus the Los Angeles Chargers.
Undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano will still start Thursday night's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium.
Brissett, 33, is an 11-year veteran who started the first eight games of this season for the Arizona Cardinals. He's thrown for 1,719 yards and 10 touchdowns to seven interceptions this season.
However, Brissett was benched in favor of Gardner Minshew II last Sunday in the Cardinals' comeback win over the Dallas Cowboys. Cardinals Head Coach Mike LaFleur announced Monday that Brissett would be the team's No. 3 quarterback moving forward behind Minshew II and third-round rookie Carson Beck.
That made Brissett available, and the Ravens reportedly pounced. Terms of the trade have not been reported. Brissett had just a $1.3 million base salary entering this season, per Spotrac.
Brissett threw for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns last year in 12 starts with the Cardinals. He also threw just eight interceptions and has historically done a good job of protecting the football, something that will help keep Baltimore in games.
It's a clear signal from the Ravens that they intend to remain in the AFC playoff hunt despite Jackson's injury with nine games remaining (eight after Thursday night).
Head Coach Jesse Minter spoke this week about changing the Ravens' winning formula, likely to one in which they will need their defense and running game to step up. Adding Brissett would provide an experienced veteran who can operate the offense efficiently and keep the passing game explosive.
