Ravens’ Initial 53 Rewards Joe Fagnano and Ethan Burke

Joe Fagnano prepares to throw beside Ethan Burke during Ravens preseason action.

The Ravens’ initial 53 is official, and two undrafted rookies turned strong summers into roster spots. Quarterback Joe Fagnano and outside linebacker Ethan Burke survived Baltimore’s final reduction, giving the team one developmental player on each side of the ball who forced his way into the opening group.

Fagnano led the NFL during the preseason with 509 passing yards and completed 74.7 percent of his attempts. His inclusion means Baltimore is carrying three quarterbacks—Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley and Fagnano—on its initial roster for the first time since 2020. It also represents the clearest change from Sunday’s partial cutdown picture, when the complete list had not yet been announced.

Burke earned his place in a crowded edge room after producing pressure throughout the preseason. The Ravens kept him while moving 2024 third-round pick Adisa Isaac to the practice squad. Baltimore’s tradition of finding undrafted contributors remains intact: at least one undrafted rookie has made the initial roster in 22 of the past 23 seasons.

The health decisions matter just as much as the final names. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and linebacker Teddye Buchanan were not placed on injured reserve, a sign the team expects both players back sooner than the four-game window associated with a return designation. That choice keeps them on the 53 while Baltimore manages the opening stretch.

Baltimore also assembled an initial practice squad that includes Isaac, kicker Jake Moody, wide receiver Chris Moore, center Nick Dawkins, defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny and safety K’Von Wallace. The Ravens did not claim a player off waivers, while offensive lineman Corey Bullock was claimed by Carolina.

An initial roster is never permanent, but Monday’s moves answer the biggest questions left open by the earlier cut tracker. Fagnano and Burke earned their jobs, the injured starters remain on the active roster, and a group of familiar camp players is staying close through the practice squad.