Story by
Ravens sign quarterback to practice squad after Lamar Jackson injury
- Story by
- Ravens sign quarterback to practice squad after Lamar Jackson injury
To address their quarterback depth, the Baltimore Ravens are bringing back a familiar face.
Austin Reed is back in Baltimore after signing with the Ravens ' practice squad, the team announced on Monday, Nov. 2. Earlier this year, the 26-year-old quarterback spent training camp with Baltimore after the team placed free agent signing Skyler Thompson on injured reserve.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Ultimately, rookie undrafted free agent and Connecticut product Joe Fagnano won the third-string job in training camp. The Ravens waived Reed as part of roster cuts at the end of August, and he had remained unsigned by another NFL team before Baltimore brought him back on Nov. 2.
LAMAR JACKSON: Injury update as Ravens QB will need surgery on hand
The Ravens' quarterback situation is in dire straits headed into Week 9.
Two-time MVP and starter Lamar Jackson will land on injured reserve with his thumb injury sustained in Week 8 , requiring surgery. Backup Tyler Huntley sustained a toe injury in the second quarter of the Ravens' Week 8 game while filling in again for the ailing Jackson. Huntley was due to undergo an MRI on Monday, Nov. 1 to determine the severity of his injury.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Prior to signing Reed, the Ravens only had one healthy quarterback on their roster: Fagnano, who began the day on Sunday, Nov. 1 as the emergency third quarterback. Baltimore also had no other signal-callers on its practice squad before signing Reed.
Week 5: The mascot of the Arizona Cardinals, Big Red, performs before the game against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
Week 5: New England Patriots cheerleaders perform during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium.
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 5: San Francisco 49ers fans cheer as Brock Purdy #13 leaves the field after defeating the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
Week 5: A Seattle Seahawks fan cheers during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on October 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
Week 5: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson does a Lambeau Leap after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears, 31-7
.
(Sarah Kloepping, Green Bay Press-Gazette)
Week 5: Fans look on from the stands during the game between the New York Giants and Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The game ended in a 27-27 tie
.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
Week 5: The mascot of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jaxson de Ville, performs before the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Jaguars won the game, 19-17
.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 5: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the "Thursday Night Football" game
between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium on October 8, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
Week 5: Singer and songwriter Lainey Wilson dances with members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders before the "Thursday Night Football" game
between the Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
Week 4: The San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders take the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium.
(Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: Seattle Seahawks fans hold cutouts of quarterback Sam Darnold prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Lumen Field.
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: Houston Texans mascot Toro and Superfan pose for a photo prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium.
(Thomas Shea, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders perform before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium.
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: A young fan of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium.
(Tommy Gilligan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 4: Washington Commanders mascot Major Tuddy holds a camera during the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 3: Denver Broncos cheerleaders perform during the "Sunday Night Football" game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High.
Week 3: The Maracanã Stadium gets set to host the International Series game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Week 3: The Miami Dolphins cheerleaders perform during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 3: Corgi dog competitions take place during halftime of the game between the Detroit Lions and New York Jets at Ford Field.
Week 3: Sports mascots compete against pee-wee football players S during halftime of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous, IndyStar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Week 3: A fan looks on during warmups prior to the game between the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
Week 2: Singer Taylor Swift watches the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Week 2: The San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders perform during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Levi's Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 2: Denver Broncos mascot Thunder rides onto the field after a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field At Mile High.
(Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
Week 2: A Miami Dolphins fan reacts during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium.
(Joe Camporeale, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals mascot Big Red poses for a photo prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
Week 2: The Baltimore Ravens mascot performs prior to the game against New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium.
(Stephen Lew, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 2: Fans cheer prior to the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High.
(Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
Week 2: The Canadian and U.S. anthems are sung during a pregame ceremony before the "Thursday Night Football" game between Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills at new Highmark Stadium.
Week 1: Singer Taylor Swift and actor Tom Cruise attend the "Monday Night Football" game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.
Week 1: Houston Texans cheerleaders perform during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium.
(Troy Taormina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 1: New York Jets fans cheer their team against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
(Chris Carter, Getty Images)
Week 1: Jacksonville Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville leads the team on the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium.
(Melina Myers, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 1: The Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders perform at Melbourne Cricket Ground during the NFL International Series game in Australia.
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Week 1: Fans arrive ahead of the NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (in Melbourne, Australia. The 49ers won the first NFL game played in Australia, 27-7 .
Week 1: Kim Thayil of Soundgarden and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam perform during halftime of the 2026 NFL Kickoff Game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots at Lumen Field.
1
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: The mascot of the Arizona Cardinals, Big Red, performs before the game against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
1
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: The mascot of the Arizona Cardinals, Big Red, performs before the game against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
2
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: New England Patriots cheerleaders perform during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium.
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: San Francisco 49ers fans cheer as Brock Purdy #13 leaves the field after defeating the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
4
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: A Seattle Seahawks fan cheers during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field on October 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
5
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson does a Lambeau Leap after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears, 31-7
.
(Sarah Kloepping, Green Bay Press-Gazette)
6
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: Fans look on from the stands during the game between the New York Giants and Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The game ended in a 27-27 tie
.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
7
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: The mascot of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jaxson de Ville, performs before the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Jaguars won the game, 19-17
.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8
/37
NFL Week 5 highlights, standout performances and reactions
Week 5: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders perform before the "Thursday Night Football" game
between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium on October 8, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
9
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 5: Singer and songwriter Lainey Wilson dances with members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders before the "Thursday Night Football" game
between the Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
10
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: The San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders take the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium.
(Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: Seattle Seahawks fans hold cutouts of quarterback Sam Darnold prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Lumen Field.
(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: Houston Texans mascot Toro and Superfan pose for a photo prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium.
(Thomas Shea, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders perform before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium.
(Jonathan Dyer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: A young fan of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium.
(Tommy Gilligan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 4: Washington Commanders mascot Major Tuddy holds a camera during the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
16
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: Denver Broncos cheerleaders perform during the "Sunday Night Football" game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High.
17
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: The Maracanã Stadium gets set to host the International Series game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
18
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: The Miami Dolphins cheerleaders perform during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium.
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
19
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: Corgi dog competitions take place during halftime of the game between the Detroit Lions and New York Jets at Ford Field.
20
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: Sports mascots compete against pee-wee football players S during halftime of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous, IndyStar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
21
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 3: A fan looks on during warmups prior to the game between the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
22
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Singer Taylor Swift watches the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
23
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: The San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders perform during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Levi's Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
24
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Denver Broncos mascot Thunder rides onto the field after a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field At Mile High.
(Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
25
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: A Miami Dolphins fan reacts during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
(Cary Edmondson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
26
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders perform during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium.
(Joe Camporeale, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
27
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Arizona Cardinals mascot Big Red poses for a photo prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
28
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: The Baltimore Ravens mascot performs prior to the game against New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium.
(Stephen Lew, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
29
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: Fans cheer prior to the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High.
(Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
30
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 2: The Canadian and U.S. anthems are sung during a pregame ceremony before the "Thursday Night Football" game between Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills at new Highmark Stadium.
31
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Singer Taylor Swift and actor Tom Cruise attend the "Monday Night Football" game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.
32
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Houston Texans cheerleaders perform during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium.
(Troy Taormina, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
33
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: New York Jets fans cheer their team against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
(Chris Carter, Getty Images)
34
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Jacksonville Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville leads the team on the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium.
(Melina Myers, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
35
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: The Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders perform at Melbourne Cricket Ground during the NFL International Series game in Australia.
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
36
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Fans arrive ahead of the NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (in Melbourne, Australia. The 49ers won the first NFL game played in Australia, 27-7 .
37
/37
Cheerleaders, celebrities, fans and mascots at NFL games during 2026 season
Week 1: Kim Thayil of Soundgarden and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam perform during halftime of the 2026 NFL Kickoff Game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots at Lumen Field.
The Ravens are 4-4 and currently sit in fourth place in a contentious AFC North division. Prior to Week 5, when Jackson missed his first game with an ankle injury, they were 3-1.
Baltimore will likely be in the market for a quarterback ahead of the NFL trade deadline, which is set for 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 10. In the meantime, Fagnano is the likely starter for Week 9. Reed is his presumed backup barring any additional transactions.
The Ravens' next game is against the Jacksonville Jaguars on "Thursday Night Football" on Nov. 5. One reporter asked Fagnano after Week 8 if he was healthy enough to face the Jaguars later in the week.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
"I think so," he said.
JOE FAGNANO: Meet the Ravens emergency QB after Jackson, Huntley injuries
Austin Reed stats
Reed has never appeared in a regular season NFL game. He first signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and spent his rookie year on the practice squad. After Chicago waived him in 2025, Reed signed with the UFL's Dallas Renegades for the 2026 spring football season and played out the year as their starter.
Here are Reed's UFL stats from earlier this year:
-
Games:10
-
Completion rate:174-for-309 (56.3%)
-
Passing yards:1,923
-
Passing touchdowns:21
-
Interceptions:9
-
Passer rating:85.5
-
Fumbles (lost):3 (1)
-
Rushing:30 attempts for 108 yards (3.6 yards per attempt)
In Reed's UFL debut in March, he set the league's single-game passing record with 376 yards. His 309 pass attempts and 21 touchdowns in the spring also led the league.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ravens sign quarterback to practice squad after Lamar Jackson injury
