Ravens linked with Cardinals' Jacoby Brissett after benching, Lamar Jackson injury

Shortly after it was learned on Sunday that Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback Lamar Jackson could miss the rest of this season after he suffered an injury to the thumb on his throwing hand during the club's 36-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills that left him needing surgery, a report linked the Ravens with current Chicago Bears backup Tyson Bagent. 

However, that same story noted that "it won’t be cheap" for the desperate Ravens to acquire Bagent ahead of the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline. According to Ravens and league reporter Jason La Canfora of Sports Illustrated and other outlets, the Arizona Cardinals may have a cheaper option for Baltimore. 

Ravens are reportedly "interested" in Jacoby Brissett after Lamar Jackson injury

Specifically, La Canfora spoke with an unnamed "high-ranking official from another NFL club" who suggested that the Ravens could call the Cardinals about journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett. 

"That's the other name I heard they are interested in, besides the back-up in Chicago," the official said about the Ravens and Brissett. 

Ravens backup signal-caller Tyler Huntley suffered a toe injury in Baltimore's loss to Buffalo on Sunday, and La Canfora mentioned that Huntley "likely" won't be good to go for when the 4-4 Ravens host the 5-2 Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday evening. Additionally, La Canfora shared that Baltimore emergency option Joe Fagnano needed treatment for his ankle/foot throughout the second half of Sunday's loss. 

On paper, Brissett would be an upgrade over a healthy Fagnano.

Why Cardinals may be willing to now dump Jacoby Brissett

As for Brissett, he was benched in favor of backup Gardner Minshew II during Arizona's matchup at the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, and Minshew helped the Cardinals earn a 33-30 overtime win over the Cowboys. While Arizona improved to 3-5, La Canfora mentioned that "execs around the NFL expect the Cardinals, in a rebuild, to move veterans before the trade deadline." 

It's assumed that first-year Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur will eventually want to get a look at rookie quarterback Carson Beck before Week 18 arrives. Presumably, the Cardinals could trade Brissett to the Ravens and start Minshew until Arizona's Week 14 bye. The Cardinals could then use that break to get Beck ready to start unless Minshew keeps Arizona in the playoff hunt through the middle of December.