It’s only Week 3 of the NFL season and we’ve already seen a handful of quarterbacks go down due to injury.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was placed on injured reserve this week due to turf toe. He’s expected to undergo surgery that could sideline him for three months. Jake Browning will fill in at quarterback during his absence. In Week 2, he had 241 passing yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in a 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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Burrow isn’t the only quarterback dealing with turf toe this season. Brock Purdy missed Week 2 for the San Francisco 49ers for the same exact reason. That opened the door for Mac Jones to start. The former first-round pick from Alabama was sharp, throwing for 279 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the New Orleans Saints.
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 28: Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and Cincinnati Bengals Tight End Mike Gesicki (88) react at the end of the game the NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 28, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
The hits just keep on coming.
Earlier this week, the Washington Commanders revealed that Jayden Daniels is battling a knee injury.
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Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year will suit up for a Week 3 showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Commanders QB Jayden Daniels has not been spotted at practice today, signaling that it is unlikely he will be recovered from his knee sprain in time to start Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Friday. “Marcus Mariota is in line to start vs his former team.”
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 26: Jordan Davis #90 of the Philadelphia Eagles sacks Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders during the third quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
Speaking of injuries to young quarterbacks, the Minnesota Vikings are expected to be without J.J. McCarthy for the next two weeks due to an ankle sprain.
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McCarthy struggled in a Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Now that he’s sidelined for a few games, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell will have to lean on Carson Wentz. Maybe, just maybe, he can get strong production out of the former Pro Bowler.
Last but not least, the New York Jets will be without Justin Fields this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The dual-threat quarterback suffered a concussion in last weekend’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The Jets will start Tyrod Taylor this Sunday. He completed 7 of 11 pass attempts for 56 yards with a touchdown in Week 2.
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Hopefully, we’ll see most of these starters return from injury in the near future.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.