Being a quarterback brings glory, but it’s also a dangerous profession. It was a real massacre that struck the players at this key position in the eighth week of NFL activities.
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A team’s plans can change drastically in the blink of an eye. Or rather in a snap of a tendon, sometimes…
Talk to the Vikings, who despite a third straight victory, this time against the Packers, have probably lost the services of Kirk Cousins for the rest of the season.
The Vikings pivot felt severe pain without the slightest contact and had to leave the match. This is often an indicator of a ruptured Achilles tendon, which several informants suggested barely an hour after the meeting.
For the Vikings, the consequences are major. Cousins has never missed a game to date due to injury. He already claimed 18 touchdown passes this season.
The team now has to rely on rookie quarterback Jaren Hall, a fifth-round pick. The offense, which was operating at full capacity, was silenced after Cousins’ injury.
We must of course give the young man a chance without crucifying him for two series. He did well at summer training camp, but nothing will replace the experience and productivity of Cousins, even if many fans take great pleasure in messing with him. And to think that he had barely enjoyed a euphoric moment when the Vikings surprised the 49ers, six days earlier, under the Monday night spotlight.
The Vikings, barely getting their heads above water with a 4-4 record after a disastrous start, now appear doomed, with their two best offensive players sidelined in Cousins and Justin Jefferson.
Several injured
Kenny Pickett was forced to leave the game against the Jaguars in the second quarter.
Getty Images via AFP
In Pittsburgh, it was Kenny Pickett who fell in combat against the Jaguars, after injuring his ribs. Well, let’s say that in his case, it’s not such a monumental loss since even with him at full health, the Steelers’ offense is absolutely not improving.
In the defeat, Mitchell Trubisky orchestrated the only offensive push which led to a touchdown, but he was also the victim of two interceptions. Trubisky has lost four of his most recent five starts with the Steelers.
The Rams, who are trying to hang on with their 3-5 record, have lost the services of Matthew Stafford to a thumb injury. Brett Rypien, who replaced him, has only three career starts and has thrown more interceptions (8) than touchdown passes (4).
When we compare ourselves, we console ourselves, these experienced teams can say to themselves. The Giants, already without their starter Daniel Jones, saw his replacement Tyrod Taylor fall in turn due to a rib injury.
When the Giants get to the point of handing the ball to Tommy DeVito, an undrafted rookie quarterback, things are pretty much going badly. Poor guy only completed two of his seven passes for a grand total of -1 yard against the Jets, in an overtime loss.
Change in Atlanta
For the Falcons, Desmond Ridder was evaluated for a concussion, but was given the green light to return to the field against the Titans.
The only problem was that the Falcons didn’t want to see him back on the field and instead asked Taylor Heinicke to finish the game. It remains to be seen if this is the end of the Ridder experience for the Falcons (4-4), who remain at the top of their division, with the Saints breathing down their necks with an identical record.
With glory also comes the price for quarterbacks in the NFL, in every way imaginable.