The most important position on a football team is the quarterback. Not only does the quarterback provide leadership and motivation, but the quarterback is the only skill player guaranteed to touch the ball on just about every offensive play (unless there’s a direct snap to someone else). Whether it’s handing the ball off correctly or throwing the ball accurately, the team’s scoring output will rise or fall depending on quarterback play. In the 2020 NFL season, injuries have already started to pile up at a number of positions.
As you consider your NFL betting for Week 5, let’s look at the key quarterback injuries in the NFL and their current impact.
NFL News:
Quarterback Injuries & Effects on Their Teams
Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens
Jackson missed practice on Wednesday with a knee injury and is now listed as questionable for Week 5. Jackson’s backup is Robert Griffin III, who played terrifically in his Week 17 start (as Jackson was resting ahead of the playoffs), and who led the Washington Football Team to an NFC East title as a rookie. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jackson is expected to play as the injury is not viewed as serious.
Drew Lock | Denver Broncos
Drew Lock has missed three games now due to a shoulder injury. He did take part in practice Wednesday on a limited basis and has been upgraded to questionable on the Broncos’ injury report. In his absence, Jeff Driskel and Brett Rypien have started in his stead. Rypien led the Broncos to a win in his starting debut, beating the New York Jets while also throwing two fourth-quarter interceptions, so the Broncos would like to have their starter back.
Tyrod Taylor | Los Angeles Chargers
Tyrod Taylor had rib pain after Week 1 and was given a pain injection hours before his Week 2 start. In one of the more bizarre injury updates in recent years, it came out that the Chargers’ team doctor, while giving Taylor that injection, had punctured his lung. Rookie Justin Herbert has played very well in Taylor’s absence, but it would be much better for the phenom to learn the game as a backup for the time being. Taylor is questionable for Week 5.
Cam Newton | New England Patriots
Newton isn’t injured — he’s on the team’s COVID-19 list. He and Stephon Gilmore are the only two Patriots who have tested positive for the coronavirus. In his absence, Brain Hoyer started in Kansas City; when he couldn’t move the ball, Jarrett Stidham came on and struggled as well. The team simply can’t do much on offense without Newton at the helm. He could return this week depending on how he negotiates the COVID-19 protocol.
Sam Darnold | New York Jets
Darnold sprained the AC joint in his shoulder. In an interview with Newsday, Darnold expressed optimism that this would be a one-week injury. Given the lack of talent that the Jets have at the skill positions on both sides of the ball, letting backup quarterback Joe Flacco, picked up off the scrap heap from the Broncos, run the offense shouldn’t do too much harm; after all, the Jets are already 0-4.
Jimmy Garoppolo | San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy G sprained an ankle in Week 2 at MetLife Stadium in New York, part of a series of injuries in that game that prompted an NFL inspection of the turf at the stadium that the Giants and Jets share; Giants tailback Saquon Barkley tore his ACL on that same field. Garoppolo took part in practice on a limited basis on Wednesday but remains questionable ahead of Week 5. The Niners would definitely rather have him on th efield than Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard.
Alex Smith | Washington Football Team
Smith’s return to the Washington depth chart raised some eyebrows, as it looks like his gruesome leg injury will not keep him from continuing his career. The Washington Football Team benched Dwayne Haskins after another disappointing performance in Week 4. Washington will start Kyle Allen at quarterback in Week 5, but Smith is listed as the #2 signal-caller for that game. If Allen struggles, Smith could be back at the helm.
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