The Baltimore Ravens have found their answer at quarterback, even if it’s for the short term.
The Ravens are finalizing a trade for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett. The NFL Network reported on Wednesday. The deal is expected to be completed this weekend.
Baltimore was left struggling at quarterback after Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, playing in his first game back after missing three with an ankle injury, suffered an injury to his right thumb on his first shot. Jackson’s thumb required surgery and that landed him on injured reserve. His backup, Tyler Huntley, then picked up a toe injury before half-time it is said to end his season.
That left undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano as the only quarterback from the active roster available. The Ravens also signed Austin Reed to their practice squad on Monday.
Brissett, 33, became expendable in Arizona afterward Gardner Minshew took over as the starter.
Minshew replaced a benched Brissett in the second half of the Cardinals’ comeback win over the Cowboys, and on Monday, coach Mike LaFleur called Minshew the starter “moving forward.”
Rookie Carson Beck moved up to the backup and Brissett dropped to the third emergency quarterback. Brissett started Arizona’s first eight games this season, throwing for 1,719 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Brissett is playing on a one-year contract $15.5 million guaranteedwhom the Cardinals re-signed in July after a training camp collision, and he will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
A veteran with 11 seasons under his belt, Brissett has thrown for more than 16,000 career yards and 86 touchdowns with 39 interceptions, and brings plenty of starting experience to Baltimore.
The Ravens are 4-4 after losing three straight and are in last place in the AFC North. They play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night before the trade is completed.
