The NFL is facing a major concern as quarterback injuries pile up at an alarming pace, threatening to shake up the entire season. Quarterbacks are the centerpiece of every team, and their health is critical to keeping games competitive — but this year is off to a troubling start.
Through only two weeks of play, five starting quarterbacks have gone down with injuries that could have significant implications for their teams. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a toe injury in Week 1, becoming the first casualty. Week 2 was far worse: Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels exited with a knee injury, Bengals star Joe Burrow hurt his toe, Jets quarterback Justin Fields entered concussion protocol, and Vikings rookie J.J. McCarthy went down with an ankle injury.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen also took a hit that left him with a bloody nose but he was not listed on the Monday injury report as the team prepares for a key Thursday night game against the Dolphins.
For comparison, last year saw only two quarterbacks injured in the early weeks: Green Bay’s Jordan Love with a knee issue and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa with a concussion.
Even Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield gave fans a scare when he grabbed his left knee after being tackled in Monday night’s game, though he did not miss any action.
The rising number of quarterback injuries is sparking questions about offensive line protection, player conditioning, and whether teams are prepared for the physical intensity of the early season. Fans are worried this could lead to one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent NFL history.
