The harsh reality of the Baltimore Ravens’ situation arrived Thursday night with a brutal 33-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The defeat dropped Baltimore to 4-5 and left the Ravens in last place.

It was the fourth consecutive game the Ravens lost without starting quarterback Lamar Jackson. He had missed three games because of a high left ankle sprain before returning against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 1.

Jackson’s return lasted only one snap. He injured the thumb on his throwing hand, an issue that could end his season, during the loss to Buffalo.

Head coach Jesse Minter, in his first year, refused to use Jackson’s absence as an explanation for Baltimore’s recent results. His message to the Ravens focused on accountability despite the difficult circumstances surrounding the team.

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"Obviously, [it's] a tough situation for our guys, but I just told them there's no excuses, there's no whatever, 'We don't have this guy; we don't have that guy,'" Minter explained, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN. "The results are not acceptable for us and what we're after."

Baltimore’s quarterback problems have extended beyond Jackson. Primary backup Tyler Huntley sustained a toe injury on Nov. 1 that will keep him out for the remainder of the season.

That left undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano to play Thursday against Jacksonville. Fagnano looked overmatched while completing 10-of-18 passes for 60 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley also rejected the idea that Baltimore’s personnel problems should excuse its performance. He pointed to the players who remain available, including running back Derrick Henry and members of the offensive line.

"There's no excuses," Stanley said of the Ravens’ performance. "We're all professionals here. We have a job to do."

Stanley added: "We have the best running back (Derrick Henry) in the NFL. We have a formidable offensive line."

Questions about Jackson’s future beyond this season are expected to remain around the Ravens for at least the next few months. Baltimore, however, seemingly will not give up on the remainder of the campaign before the NFL trade deadline arrives at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

The Ravens are expected to acquire journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals. As of Friday morning, Brissett was expected to start for Baltimore against the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 16.

The Chargers entered the weekend at 0-7 and were scheduled to host the 2-5 Houston Texans on Sunday. Baltimore’s possible move for Brissett comes as the Ravens search for an answer following injuries to Jackson and Huntley.

Brissett was recently benched in favor of backup Gardner Minshew II before being relegated to QB3 duties with Arizona. Even with that recent development, Minter remained confident that Baltimore could put together a run through January.

Tight end Mark Andrews acknowledged the importance of Jackson and how much his good friend will be missed. He also maintained that the Ravens have enough talent among their players and coaches to deliver a better performance.

"Lamar's incredible. Obviously going to be sorely missed," Andrews said. "[But] we deserve to put out a better product because we have such talented players and coaches and guys that really want to get this thing going."

Minter said he still believes in the players despite the inconsistency Baltimore has displayed. He identified issues across all three levels and all three phases while refusing to dwell on the circumstances that contributed to the team’s position.

"I believe in our guys," Minter added. "There's spurts of good enough football."

"There is a real inconsistency, I would say, at all three levels, all three phases," Minter continued. "And again, some of that is due to whatever, but that is what it is."

Minter said nobody cares about those circumstances. He believes Baltimore has an opportunity if the Ravens can establish consistency and find a formula suited to the team in its current state.

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