The Baltimore Ravens will be without quarterback Trace McSorley for the remainder of the preseason as he deals with a back injury. But McSorley’s injury presents a golden opportunity for Tyler Huntley.
The battle for the Ravens’ backup quarterback job has been one of the most intriguing competitions in camp this summer. But that competition will now be a little more one-sided with McSorley sidelined.
It won’t exactly be a competition so much as it will be an audition for Huntley with his teammate out. But that’s exactly the situation he wants to find himself in.
McSorley’s injury means that Huntley is now solely in control of his destiny. If he’s to win the backup QB job, it will be based solely on his play — not his teammate’s.
Tyler Huntley can win the Ravens’ backup QB job with Trace McSorley injured
With Lamar Jackson sitting out of Saturday’s preseason opener, McSorley and Huntley took center stage as the only two quarterbacks to suit up for Baltimore.
McSorley played the entire first half to mixed results while Huntley took over in the second half. When the dust settled, Huntley seemed to emerge as the more effective quarterback.
Perhaps this was due to McSorley’s injury, however.
The former sixth-round pick reportedly “wrenched his back” picking up a box at home before Saturday’s game. He played through the ailment, but further testing revealed that the injury was worse than just “back spasms.”
With McSorley sidelined indefinitely, Huntley appears to be the favorite to win the backup QB job — if he wasn’t already.
The Utah product has had a strong camp and appeared to have the edge over McSorley, even before Saturday’s game. Now, barring a major letdown, the job is his to lose.
McSorley needed these last two preseason games to make up ground on Huntley who had emerged as the frontrunner to back up Jackson.
Unfortunately, he won’t receive that opportunity now.
The Ravens signed undrafted rookie Kenji Bahar to provide depth behind Jackson and Huntley, but expect the team to give Huntley the majority of snaps.
The remainder of the preseason will be the Tyler Huntley show. As for Trace McSorley, his future is much more uncertain.