Five NFL starting quarterbacks have already been injured this season.
It's the eve of Week 3, and players are dropping like flies at the sport's most important position.
Yahoo Sports is rounding up those injuries and taking a look at each of the teams expected to be relying on backup quarterbacks this week.
This is all too familiar for the Bengals, but at least Jake Browning gives them a chance
Week 3 matchup: Cincinnati at Minnesota
Joe Burrow could reportedly miss as many as three months after undergoing surgery for a toe injury he suffered during a Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Burrow has already rallied from a pair of serious injuries in his career, winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2021 and 2024, but he didn't want to be up for that award a third time. While he still has a chance to return later this season, Jake Browning is suddenly thrust back into the spotlight, where he was just two years ago.
Over the weekend, Browning pulled a 31-27 win out of his striped helmet like it was a rabbit out of a magician's hat. After throwing three interceptions in Burrow's place, he composed himself and completed nine of his final 10 passes, orchestrating a 15-play, 92-yard, game-winning drive that culminated in his own touchdown on a leaping "sneak" from the doorstep of the Jaguars' end zone.
While filling in for Burrow in 2023, Browning went 4-3 in the seven games he started. He made nine total appearances that year, completing 70.4% of his passes for 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Now 29, Browning's poised to make his eighth career NFL start against the Vikings, the team that first signed him when he was an undrafted free agent out of Washington in 2019.
Vikings likely to turn to Carson Wentz, Kevin O'Connell's QB whispering will be tested once more
Week 3 matchup: Cincinnati at Minnesota
J.J. McCarthy's fledgling pro career is already embattled. After missing his entire rookie season with a torn left meniscus, he's now reportedly expected to be sidelined for 2-4 weeks with a high ankle sprain that he sustained during a sloppy, Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football.
That means Carson Wentz is in line to start for the Minnesota Vikings in McCarthy's absence. Wentz is the latest veteran quarterback to join head coach, and quarterback whisperer, Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota. After McCarthy went down last year, O'Connell fostered not only Sam Darnold but also Daniel Jones after Jones was benched and then released by the New York Giants midseason. O'Connell has also won games with part-time rocket scientist Josh Dobbs and current free agent Jaren Hall at quarterback.
Wentz, 32, is with a new team for the fifth straight season since his run in Philadelphia came to an awkward end. His last start came in the 2024 regular-season finale. He and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs backups were blown out by the playoff-hungry Denver Broncos. But if the former No. 2 overall pick gets the start for the Vikings this week, he'll be throwing to Justin Jefferson against a vulnerable Bengals defense.
Tyrod Taylor could get late-career opportunity with his second New York team
Week 3 matchup: New York at Tampa Bay
Justin Fields is in concussion protocol after his early exit from a lopsided, Week 2 defeat to the Buffalo Bills this past Sunday. Fields' inspiring debut with the New York Jets was followed by an injury-riddled and head-scratching performance that raised more questions about Fields as a viable starter in the league and about the Jets as a potential upstart.
While Fields completed only 3-of-11 passes for 27 yards — in addition to his team-leading 49 rushing yards — before his fourth-quarter injury, journeyman Tyrod Taylor went 7 of 11 for 56 yards and a garbage time touchdown.
Taylor's no stranger to a spot start. He's started games for five different NFL teams (the Bills, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and New York Giants) in his winding career. He's scattered 58 starts across his 15 seasons in the league. This his second go-around with the Jets, but this is the first time he's poised to start for them. The Aaron Glenn honeymoon phase is over, and his team's tackling and penalty issues have to be shored up. But Taylor certainly lends the Jets' offense experience.
49ers might have struck gold with Mac Jones signing
Week 3 matchup: Arizona at San Francisco
Brock Purdy is "week-to-week" with the toe injury he picked up during the San Francisco 49ers' season-opening win over the Seattle Seahawks, general manager John Lynch told reporters last week. That same day, though, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Purdy could be out as many as five total weeks with the turf toe variant he suffered.
Without Purdy — as well as tight end George Kittle, who's on IR with a hamstring injury — the 49ers still managed to stake themselves to a refreshing 2-0 start after they finished 6-11 last season. Mac Jones, whom the 49ers signed to a two-year deal this past offseason, filled the void under center. The 2021 first rounder turned back the clock to his rookie, and Pro Bowl, season with the New England Patriots.
Jones led San Francisco to a 26-21 win against the New Orleans Saints. After an uneven backup stint in Jacksonville last year, he made things look easy in the Big Easy over the weekend while quarterbacking the 49ers. He completed 26-of-39 passes for 279 yards and a trio of touchdowns, including a 42-yarder to wideout Jauan Jennings in the fourth quarter. Jones will face a stiffer test this week against the 2-0 Cardinals, however, the injury bug notably hit Arizona's secondary in Week 2.
Marcus Mariota can pick up where he left off with Commanders
Week 3 matchup: Las Vegas at Washington
Jayden Daniels sprained his knee during a loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football in Week 2. Fortunately for his Washington Commanders, the injury reportedly won't be long-term. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters Monday that Daniels has started his return to play process and is "truly day-to-day." But when asked about Daniels' status for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Quinn said he "can't tell you that now."
If Daniels, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, doesn't play against the Raiders, Marcus Mariota will take the baton. Mariota also thrived with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury last year. While Daniels didn't miss a game in 2024, he was out for most of a Week 7 matchup against the Carolina Panthers with a rib injury, and he sat out the second half of the regular-season finale versus the Dallas Cowboys due to leg soreness. Mariota relieved Daniels both times and completed a combined 33-of-41 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns in a pair of Washington wins.
Mariota, another former No. 2 overall pick, has started 74 games in his 11-season career. None of those starts came during his two years playing for Vegas, although he did make 11 appearances for the Raiders. Now he could start against them Sunday for the Commanders.
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