Injuries are commonplace across the NFL landscape, and despite the implementation of rules to help protect the league's most valuable position, quarterbacks have not been immune of late. In 2019, notable starting quarterbacks to miss varying lengths of time due to injuries included Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Nick Foles, Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold.
Darnold's absence was attributed to mononucleosis, and, of course, there was Andrew Luck, who decided to retire prior to the start of the season rather than put his body through the punishment of an NFL season once again. Carson Wentz was unable to finish his third straight season after being forced from the Eagles' playoff game against Seattle with a concussion.
Prior to Week 10 this season, we've witnessed the feel-good return of Alex Smith, who made his first start in nearly two years returning from a leg injury. But he's only in the starting lineup because Kyle Allen suffered a gruesome injury of his own in Week 9.
Dallas' Dak Prescott knows all about gruesome, as his season was lost in Week 5 against the Giants with maybe the ugliest injury of the season to date.
Let's take a look at some more notable names under center heading into Week 11 and where they stand in terms of availability. Unfortunately for them, you'll notice some repeat names from our opening.
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees has at least five fractured ribs and a collapsed lung following Sunday's win over the 49ers. However, it was revealed that only the two broken ribs on his right side occurred during the hit he received from Kentavius Street, and the others are believed to have been broken the week before against Tampa Bay.
Doctors are cautioning the Saints quarterback to be careful with the lung as he rests and recovers. New Orleans will turn to Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill in Brees' absence after they went 5-0 without him last year when he sat out with a thumb injury.
Nick Foles, Chicago Bears
Nick Foles took a scary hit towards the end of the Bears' Monday night loss to the Vikings, leaving Soldier Field on a cart, fueling speculation about a season-ending injury. However, reports surfaced Tuesday morning that he escaped that severity.
Initially, it was revealed to be nothing more than a hip pointer, but he was undergoing further evaluation on Tuesday. Mitch Trubisky has been inactive the past few weeks with a shoulder injury of his own, so we'll see if he gets activated this week or if the Bears are forced to turn to Tyler Bray, who relieved Foles against Minnesota Monday night.
Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys
When Prescott was lost for the year, many thought the drop-off wouldn't be that steep since Dallas brought in veteran Andy Dalton to be the backup, who was considered near the top in the league at that spot. But in just his second game as the new starting quarterback, Dalton was injured, suffering a concussion at the hands of the Washington Football Team.
The former Bengals signal-caller was forced to hand the reins over to the likes of Ben DiNucci and Garrett Gilbert, but after clearing protocol, Dalton is expected to return this week when the Cowboys visit Minnesota.
Others Hurting
Darnold's disappointing third season continues as it was announced earlier this week that he'll miss his fourth game due to a shoulder injury, and Gardner Minshew's injured thumb won't be healed in time to be back for this weekend's game against the Steelers. Joe Flacco and Jake Luton, respectively, will continue to fill in for the two starters.
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