In Week 14’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson left the game due to an ankle injury, leaving Tyler Huntley to take his place under center.
Should Huntley get injured this game, the Ravens have punter Sam Koch warming up on the sidelines as their new backup quarterback.
This definitely wasn’t in the cards for the Ravens heading into Week 14, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Ravens punter Sam Koch is warming up as a quarterback ... so yeah, there's where Baltimore's at right now.
— Dan Hanzus (@DanHanzus) December 12, 2021
Sam Koch (emergency QB) warming up---in case Huntley goes down#BALvsCLE #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/PfoKbjspWa
— ᑭᖇO ᖴOOTᗷᗩᒪᒪ ᒍOᑌᖇᑎᗩᒪ 🏈 (@NFL_Journal) December 12, 2021
Baltimore Ravens punter Sam Koch warms up as QB versus Cleveland
Koch is in his 16th season at Baltimore and has become a fan favorite as an uber-reliable punter, with a career-average 45.3 yards per punt.
But Koch’s also been known for orchestrating some of Baltimore’s best trick plays in the form of fake punts.
In his pseudo-quarterback career, he’s completed 7-of-7 passes for 82 yards. Obviously, it’s quite a small sample size, but he at least has plenty of experience as a passer with the Ravens.
Most of Koch’s passing success may hinge on the element of surprise, though, and if the Ravens do plug him in under center he’ll be up against a very tough Cleveland defense which includes sack artist Myles Garrett.
The Ravens are currently trailing the Browns 24-6 in what could be a very ugly Week 14 result for the AFC North division leaders.
In a best-case scenario, the Ravens won’t have to use Koch as their emergency quarterback, and Tyler Huntley will perform well enough to give Baltimore a chance at a comeback. The second half awaits.