If starters get injured, backup quarterbacks step in.Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen sustained a hard hit to his left knee during the fourth quarter of the Week 3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He is expected to play in the Week 4 game against the New England Patriots. If he doesn’t play, backup QB Kyle Allen may have to step up.Minnesota Vikings QB Kyler Murray suffered a concussion in the 2026 season opener against the Green Bay Packers. Backup QB Carson Wentz played in the Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears.Murray is healthy now and was cleared to play in the Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He may not be a 12-team starting play in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins, even if injured Justin Jefferson suits up, as per NBC Sports.
Sam Darnold , Jayden Daniels , Baker Mayfield and Caleb Williams injuries
Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold suffered a unique soft-tissue glute injury in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. Backup QB Drew Lock started Week 2. Darnold returned in Week 3’s loss to the Washington Commanders.Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow in the Week 2 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He was not placed on injured reserve. He is expected to miss at least three weeks.Daniels missed the Week 3 game against the Seattle Seahawks. But he is expected to travel to London with the team for the Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts. He could practice in a limited capacity. That leaves more time on the gridiron for backup QB Marcus Mariota.Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield suffered a right thumb dislocation late in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. MRI showed no ligament or tendon damage. But he is expected to miss multiple games as the dislocation heals.Undrafted rookie QB Jalon Daniels will start in his place. Or they may look for a veteran elsewhere.Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams suffered a non-contact Grade 2 hamstring injury in the Week 2 loss against the Minnesota Vikings. He is considered Week-to-Week but is expected to miss multiple games [3 to 4 weeks] while undergoing rehabilitation. He suffered the same injury in college.Backup QB Case Keenum played in the Week 3 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jaxson Dart and Tua Tagovailoa injuries
Atlanta Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury during training camp prior to the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He missed early games, and backup QB Cooper Rush took over as the starter for Week 2.Recovered 2025 starter QB Michael Penix Jr. started for Week 3 win against the Green Bay Packers while Tagovailoa served as the backup QB.New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 2 loss over the Los Angeles Rams. He was placed on injured reserve. He underwent early knee surgery on Friday, Sept. 25. His recovery timeline is 4 to 6 months.Backup QB Jameis Winston started Week 3 and led the Giants to a win over the Tennessee Titans. Despite this win, the Giants have traded for Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy.Keeping track of this would drive anyone crazy. But what a starting quarterback goes through with injury, absence, and recovery is much worse than anybody can imagine.He starts a new season with just one hope: to win the Super Bowl. And then, in the first few games, that hope gets crushed. No amount of cynicism can define it, and no amount of sorrow can fill it. It’s just unimaginable. But as fate would have it, the 2026 NFL season seems to be the season of the backups!
