Ravens near trade for Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett amid Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley injuries

The Baltimore Ravens are finalizing a trade for quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals, sources said Wednesday, after injuries sidelined starter Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley. The deal had not been completed when reported. Jackson hurt his right thumb in a 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills and needs surgery, leaving him out indefinitely, while Huntley, who injured a toe, reportedly will miss the rest of the season. The 4-4 Ravens will start undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano against Jacksonville on Thursday night. Brissett, 33, started eight games for Arizona before being benched and dropped to third-string after Gardner Minshew led the Cardinals to a 33-30 comeback win at Dallas. He is 23-50 as a starter in his career and has completed 63.3% of his passes this season for 1,719 yards, with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. If the trade goes through, he would likely start against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Guardian US, the main left-leaning source, leads with the trade as a remedy for Baltimore's "QB injury crisis," citing an Associated Press source who spoke anonymously because the deal was unfinished. It stresses Brissett's career record and Minshew's comeback, and frames the move around the Ravens' desperate need. ESPN and CBS Sports, the alternative sources, lead with insider reports that the deal is being finalized, with ESPN crediting Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport. CBS focuses more on Jackson, noting the thumb injury raises questions about his Baltimore future and detailing his $84.34 million cap hit and no-trade clause. The right-leaning Daily Mail uses the headline "Desperate Baltimore Ravens seal huge NFL quarterback trade," highlights Rapoport's first report, and says the deal would be completed over the weekend. It also emphasizes Brissett's 3-5 start, his benching and his history as Tom Brady's backup. All sources agree on the trade, Jackson's injury and Fagnano's start.