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Ravens' versatile RB Justice Hill is emergency fourth QB vs. Bills
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- Ravens' versatile RB Justice Hill is emergency fourth QB vs. Bills
The Baltimore Ravens entered Sunday's matchup against the Buffalo Bills with three quarterbacks available, but injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley have left the team one setback away from potentially turning to running back Justice Hill.
According to the CBS broadcast crew, Hill is Baltimore's emergency fourth quarterback if undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano can't continue. Fagnano, who made his NFL regular-season debut after replacing Huntley in the second quarter, absorbed a significant hit while attempting to keep the Ravens ' offense moving against Buffalo.
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The development comes after Jackson was ruled out with a right thumb injury suffered on Baltimore's first offensive play. Huntley replaced Jackson before suffering a toe injury of his own, leaving him questionable to return and forcing Fagnano into action. The Ravens have now used three quarterbacks against one of the AFC's top teams, creating an increasingly difficult situation for head coach Jesse Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.
Justice Hill is Ravens' emergency fourth quarterback
Hill, a veteran running back who has spent his NFL career with Baltimore, provides an emergency option if another quarterback becomes unavailable. Although he has experience operating within Baltimore's offensive system, Hill is not a traditional quarterback, and moving him under center would require significant adjustments to the team's offensive approach.
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Baltimore would likely need to lean more heavily on Derrick Henry and its running game while limiting Hill's passing responsibilities. The Ravens could also explore direct snaps, designed runs, and other formations that allow their remaining offensive playmakers to handle the football without relying on a conventional passing attack.
The possibility of Hill playing quarterback underscores how quickly Baltimore's situation has deteriorated. Jackson entered Sunday making his first appearance after missing three consecutive games with an ankle injury, but he suffered a thumb injury almost immediately after returning. Huntley, who started during Jackson's absence, then had to leave with a toe injury, putting the offense in the hands of a rookie who had never taken a regular-season snap.
Joe Fagnano takes a big hit after replacing Tyler Huntley
Fagnano entered Sunday's game as Baltimore's emergency third quarterback after an impressive preseason in which he led NFL quarterbacks with 509 passing yards. The former Connecticut standout earned a roster spot after arriving as an undrafted rookie and entered Week 8 behind Jackson and Huntley on Baltimore's quarterback depth chart.
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The rookie provided an immediate spark after replacing Huntley, completing a 15-yard pass to tight end Josh Cuevas and a 13-yard throw to wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane. Baltimore advanced to the Buffalo 7-yard line before Fagnano was sacked, and rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a 34-yard field goal attempt that struck the left upright.
Fagnano's ability to remain in the game is now especially important for a Baltimore offense that has already exhausted its traditional quarterback depth. The Ravens have not announced that Fagnano suffered an injury on the hit, but any additional setback would force the coaching staff to reassess its available options.
Ravens face uncertainty after injuries to Jackson and Huntley
Baltimore entered Week 8 at 4-3 after consecutive losses to Cleveland and Cincinnati, making Sunday's matchup against Buffalo an important opportunity to improve its position in the AFC playoff race. Jackson's return was expected to provide a major boost for an offense that struggled to consistently produce points during his three-game absence.
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Instead, the Ravens have been forced to adjust their quarterback situation twice while facing a Buffalo team that entered the contest with a 5-1 record. The injuries have complicated an already difficult afternoon for an offense dealing with changes along the offensive line, including the absence of first-round guard Vega Ioane because of an MCL sprain.
Hill remains an emergency option rather than an announced replacement for Fagnano, and Baltimore would prefer to avoid placing a running back in that position. However, with Jackson ruled out and Huntley questionable, the Ravens must be prepared for another unexpected change if Fagnano cannot finish the game.
For now, Baltimore will rely on its rookie quarterback while Hill stands ready as the fourth option in an extraordinary injury situation that has left the Ravens scrambling to keep their offense functioning against Buffalo.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens' versatile RB Justice Hill is emergency fourth QB vs. Bills
