Ravens near trade for Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett after Lamar Jackson thumb injury

The Baltimore Ravens are finalizing a trade for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals, according to sources cited by the Associated Press and ESPN on Wednesday, and the deal had not been completed. The Ravens need a quarterback after Lamar Jackson injured his right thumb in a 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills and will need surgery and be out indefinitely, while backup Tyler Huntley suffered a toe injury that reportedly ends his season. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano will start Thursday night against Jacksonville, and Brissett is expected to start the following week against the Los Angeles Chargers. Brissett, 33, is 23-50 as a starter over 11 seasons and was benched by Arizona in favor of Gardner Minshew after starting eight games this season.

Right-leaning Daily Mail leads with Baltimore's desperation, calling the Ravens desperate and headlining a "huge" trade seal, though its own text says the deal is still being finalized and due to be completed over the weekend. It stresses general manager Eric DaCosta scrambling for a long-term answer, Brissett's midgame benching against Dallas and drop to third on the depth chart, and his 63.3% completion rate, but does not cite his career starting record. Left-leaning The Guardian uses "near trade" and "QB injury crisis," relies on an anonymous AP source, and features Brissett's career mark and his 1,719 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Both cover the Jackson and Huntley injuries and Fagnano's start; they differ mainly on whether the deal is done and on framing. Alternative ESPN and CBS Sports add distinct angles: CBS focuses on Jackson's $84.34 million cap hit, no-trade clause and future in Baltimore.