Ravens Sign New QB Following Skylar Thompson Injury

The Baltimore Ravens are making a change at quarterback, as the team announced they have signed free agent Austin Reed. 

Reed's arrival is due to Skylar Thompson being injured and now being placed on injured reserve. Thompson had not been at practice the past two days, and it appears his injury was far worse than expected.

Thompson was expected to be the team's third-string option, and that may now go to Reed. The Ravens do still have Joe Fagnano on the roster, and Diego Pavia was also released. 

That said, Reed's arrival makes sense due to his connections with the Chicago Bears, where he played in 2024 and 2025, but as a member of the practice squad. 

Reed did play in preseason with the Bears, where he compiled 230 yards and one touchdown through five games total.

Following his small stint in the NFL, Reed played for the Houston Gamblers in the 2026 season, where he set a UFL record of 21 touchdowns.

Reed finished the season with 1,923 yards, 21 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. 

Baltimore has an already established quarterback room that features All-Pro Lamar Jackson and longtime backup Tyler Huntley, but beyond that, there has not been an established third-string quarterback named just yet.

Now, it will be Reed and Fagnano battling it out for the presumed final spot. 

The usual cause for NFL teams is to take three quarterbacks into the regular season. The starter, backup, and third-string option who may or may not also be the practice squad passer.

Should something happen to both the starter and backup, the third-stringer would step in. These are very rare occurances, but it has happened in the NFL previously.

The Ravens experienced something similar in 2025 when Jackson suffered a hamstring injury. This led to Cooper Rush taking over, and then the team bringin back Huntley.

Rush struggled mightily, leading to the signing of Huntley. He began on the practice squad and was then thrust into action, leading the team to a much-needed Week 8 win, which prompted a five-game winning streak.

Reed and Fagnano are also insurance, especially while Thompson recovers from the injury that landed him on injured reserve. If and when he returns to the team, one of the aforementioned passers is likely to be waived or released.

The unofficial depth chart will also reveal where the quarterback room stands heading into the first preseason game, but it is likely Fagnano may be ahead due to being with the Ravens for longer.