Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford, Kenny Pickett and Tyrod Taylor are the latest footballers to go out with injuries.
Injury to relatives Bunch can be the worst. Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said the team fears the four-time Pro Bowl QB injured his Achilles tendon — and if an MRI confirms a torn ligament, Cousins’ season could be over.
The 35-year-old veteran, who has never missed a game due to injury, was sidelined in the fourth quarter after suffering a non-contact injury. A 24-10 win over Green Bay On Sunday. He was then carted off to the locker room.
“I know it has to be an injury that makes him physically unplayable because if he has the ability to tolerate pain or the will to go out on the football field, Kirk Cousins is going to be out on the field,” O’Connell said.
“We’ll figure out the severity of it and let you know what my fear is right now with the injury. As an organization, we’ll try to move forward in the short term knowing that I don’t know if anybody in this league as a whole is playing the position with Kirk this year.
The Vikings may struggle to match Cousins’ production with other quarterbacks on their roster. He was replaced Sunday by freshman Jaren Hall, a fifth-round pick out of BYU. Minnesota has veteran Nick Mullens on injured reserve and Sean Mannion on its practice squad.
Stafford Couldn’t finish One loss in Dallas due to a thumb injury. He got a bloody elbow after catching a 2-point conversion at the Rams. A 43-20 loss to the Cowboys. Rams coach Sean McVay said he did not know the extent of Stafford’s injury.
Pickett et al Taylor Both ribs were injured.
Pickett left Pittsburgh in the first half after taking a tough shot from Jaguars defensive end Adam Gotzis. Backup Mitch Trubisky threw two interceptions The visiting Steelers lost 20-10 to Jacksonville. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had no word on Pickett’s injury.
Taylor was taken to the hospital for evaluation after injuring a rib in the first half against the New York Giants. 13-10 overtime loss to the Jets. Taylor will remain in the hospital overnight, the team said.
Taylor started his third game for Daniel Jones, who was sidelined with a neck injury.
Illinois and Syracuse and New Jersey native Tommy DeVito, a freshman, replaced Taylor and threw just one pass in regulation. He scored on a 6-yard touchdown run that gave the Giants the lead in the third quarter and finished 2 of 7 for minus-1 yards.
Atlanta’s Desmond Ridder was evaluated and ruled out for a concussion, but the Falcons switched to Taylor Heinicke in the third quarter. 28-23 loss at Tennessee. Trainer Arthur Smith said he took Ryder out as a precaution.
“I’m going to ask the medical experts and see how this week goes,” Smith said when asked which quarterback would start next week.
Titans rookie Will Lewis threw four TDs in his NFL debut for Ryan Tannehill, who suffered an ankle injury.
Several QBs played through injuries. Jalen Hurts, who wore a knee brace in the second half of last week’s game, threw four TDs. Washington won 38-31. Brock Birdie started for the 49ers against Cincinnati last Monday after a concussion.
In Seattle, the Browns were again without Deshaun Watson due to a shoulder injury.
Gardner Minshew earned his fourth start for Indianapolis A 38-27 loss to New Orleans. Colts player Anthony Richardson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery earlier this month.
The Jets lost four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers in Week 1 with a torn Achilles tendon in the first quarter. Joe Burrow started every game for the Bengals, but a calf injury forced him to miss all of training camp in September.
