Through two weeks, four starting quarterbacks have been injured

Published September 22, 2026 02:33 PM The 2023 season featured more than a few serious quarterback injuries. The 2026 season has started with four of 32 starters suffering injuries during the first two weeks of action.In Week 1, the Seahawks lost quarterback Sam Darnold for at least one game with a glute injury. (He could be back in Week 3.) In Week 2, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams pulled a hamstring and is week-to-week. In the late-afternoon window, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow, again. On Monday night, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart sustained what is believed to be an MCL sprain.More recently, the next man up in Chicago (Tyson Bagent) has landed in the concussion protocol.The situation highlights an ever-present risk when it comes to playing football. Quarterbacks get hit, in all sorts of ways — after weeks of practice in which they’re insulated from contact.As Mike Tomlin said in Week 1, the inability to hit quarterbacks in practice put defenses at a disadvantage. The quarterbacks are at a disadvantage, too; they’ve gone from bubble wrap to fair game. On Monday’s Let’s Go!, North Carolina coach Bill Belichick (who is far chattier than he is during games) suggested that limited padded practices make it harder for the blockers and, in turn, the quarterbacks.“The offensive line has really gotten shortchanged because they’re not in pads very often,” Belichick said. “Basically 20 times a year, 10 in training camp, 10 during the regular season. And I think 20 practices is just not really enough for those guys to develop their skills. And the defensive players are ahead of them and offensive lineman gets beaten and you know who’s getting hit. And so I think one thing that would really help the situation would be some type of developmental program for offensive linemen who don’t play. Not saying guys that have played 16 games, but talking about guys that don’t play, that need that development coming into the NFL and type athletes they face and pass protection and blitz pick[up] and all that. It’s so involved and so difficult that I think that would help the quarterback’s longevity as much as anything.”Even with a highly competent offensive line, a quarterback is always one play away from taking a big hit, and possibly from being injured. And nothing can change a team’s fortunes faster than losing their starting quarterback.