THE JACKED LIST 9/22: THE NFL IS RUNNING OUT OF QUARTERBACKS
Apparently, two weeks of NFL football is all it takes to turn half the league into an emergency room.
Caleb Williams? Jacked.
Jayden Daniels? Jacked.
Jaxson Dart? Very Jacked.
And that’s just the quarterbacks.
After watching the Giants lose Dart on their opening drive against the Rams last night, we were hoping the news would be considerably better this morning.
It wasn’t.
Meanwhile, the Bears might be preparing to start their third-string quarterback, the Eagles are collecting injuries, and several other teams are already scrambling to get healthy before Week 3.
We’re only two weeks into the season.
At this rate, some of these teams are going to be holding open tryouts in the parking lot.
Welcome to today’s Jacked List.
THE JACKED LIST
JAXSON DART — GIANTS
Injury: Left knee
Status: Possibly season-ending, pending confirmation
This is the one we were worried about.
Dart was hit by two Rams defenders on New York’s opening drive Monday night. Initial reports suggested a sprained MCL, and the Giants were hopeful he had avoided a major injury.
Then Tuesday’s MRI happened.
Subsequent reporting indicates the damage may be worse than initially believed. Dart could miss an extended period, potentially the remainder of the season. Season-ending surgery has been discussed in reports, although the Giants had not announced a final decision at the time of this article.
Jameis Winston is expected to take over while Dart is sidelined.
We wanted to see what the Giants could do against the Rams with their starting quarterback. Now we’re just hoping Dart gets back on the field this season.
JAYDEN DANIELS — COMMANDERS
Injury: Dislocated left elbow
Status: Return date unknown
Washington’s quarterback dislocated his non-throwing elbow during Sunday’s loss to Dallas.
That’s the same elbow he injured last season.
Initial evaluations reportedly ruled out a fracture, but Daniels is consulting specialists and his return timetable remains uncertain. Marcus Mariota is expected to start against Seattle in Week 3.
Two elbow dislocations in consecutive seasons is a particularly unwelcome development for a young franchise quarterback.
Very Jacked.
CALEB WILLIAMS — BEARS
Injury: Right hamstring
Status: Week-to-week
Williams suffered a non-contact hamstring injury during Chicago’s thrilling 9-3 loss to Minnesota.
And by thrilling, we mean nobody scored a touchdown.
He had to be carted off, but subsequent testing reportedly showed he avoided a major tear. Williams is considered week-to-week and is not expected to practice early in the week.
Chicago’s backup, Tyson Bagent, has also entered the concussion protocol.
Which means the Bears might have to start Case Keenum against Philadelphia.
One injured quarterback is bad.
Two injured quarterbacks after Week 2?
That’s Jacked Up.
MORE NAMES ON THE JACKED LIST
MALIK NABERS — GIANTS
Injury: Shoulder
Status: Test results pending
Nabers hurt his shoulder against the Rams, reportedly popped it back into place himself and returned to the game.
He said he felt OK afterward but was scheduled for X-rays.
We love the determination. We would also very much like him to have two functioning shoulders.
BRIAN BURNS — GIANTS
Injury: Low ankle sprain
Status: Availability uncertain
Burns injured his left ankle late against the Rams and was subsequently seen wearing a walking boot.
Initial reports indicate a low ankle sprain, but his Week 3 availability hasn’t been established.
Between Dart, Nabers and Burns, somebody needs to wrap the entire Giants roster in bubble wrap.
ANDREW THOMAS — GIANTS
Injury: Groin
Status: Evaluation ongoing
The Giants’ starting left tackle suffered a groin injury late in Monday’s loss. No definitive recovery timetable was available in the initial reports.
When your quarterback just injured his knee, losing his left tackle is not exactly the follow-up you’re looking for.
PUKA NACUA — RAMS
Injury: Hip/groin
Status: Week 3 uncertain
Nacua missed Monday’s win over the Giants and remains uncertain for Sunday’s game against Denver.
Sean McVay said Tuesday that he’s hopeful Nacua can return, but there isn’t a confirmed playing status yet.
The Rams just put up 28 points without him. Imagine how unpleasant things could get for opposing defenses when he’s healthy.
DALLAS GOEDERT — EAGLES
Injury: Sprained MCL
Status: Week-to-week
Goedert injured his knee against Tennessee and is expected to miss multiple weeks.
Philadelphia has responded by bringing veteran tight end Zach Ertz back into the organization.
The Eagles are 2-0, but they’re starting to resemble a football team assembled from spare parts.
SAQUON BARKLEY — EAGLES
Injury: Stinger involving neck/shoulder
Status: Monitoring
Barkley suffered a stinger on Philadelphia’s opening offensive play against Tennessee.
He returned in the second half, but saw limited action and was set for further examination. His Week 3 availability still needs confirmation.
Being able to return is encouraging. Not being fully healthy is considerably less encouraging.
JAYDEN REED — PACKERS
Injury: Back
Status: Significant time possible
Reed was taken off the field on a backboard during Green Bay’s Week 2 game.
The encouraging news is that he reportedly had movement in his extremities. The Packers are continuing to evaluate him, and he could miss significant time.
This is one of those injuries where football becomes secondary. Hopefully, Reed’s recovery goes smoothly.
ZACH BAKO-BEWELE — PACKERS
Injury: Knee
Status: Questionable
Green Bay lists Bako-Bewele as a guard with a knee injury and a questionable designation for Week 3.
The Packers also lost guard Aaron Banks and backup Donovan Jennings to injuries during the game.
At this point, Green Bay may need to start interviewing anybody who has ever successfully pushed a refrigerator.
J.K. DOBBINS — BRONCOS
Injury: Hamstring
Status: Monitoring
Dobbins exited Denver’s Week 2 game with a hamstring issue. Early reports suggest the Broncos aren’t particularly concerned, but his availability for Sunday hasn’t been formally established.
Another hamstring.
Apparently, hamstrings have collectively decided they’re not interested in playing football this September.
A.J. TERRELL JR. — FALCONS
Injury: Groin
Status: Injured reserve
Atlanta placed Terrell on injured reserve Tuesday. He’ll miss at least four games.
And the Falcons are already 0-2.
Not exactly the start they had in mind.
THE UNJACKED LIST
KYLER MURRAY — VIKINGS
Status: Reportedly cleared
Murray has reportedly cleared concussion protocol and is expected to start against Tampa Bay in Week 3.
Minnesota won Sunday with nine points. Its starting quarterback is coming back.
That’s Unjacked.
GEORGE KITTLE — 49ERS
Status: Returned
Kittle returned against Miami and caught four passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.
The 49ers won 35-13.
Kittle looked like Kittle.
Everything is right with the world.
MICHAEL PENIX JR. — FALCONS
Status: Reportedly cleared to return
Penix has reportedly been cleared to return from last season’s knee injury and is set to start Thursday against Green Bay.
Atlanta desperately needs some good news.
Unjacked.
THE NFL NEEDS TO STOP BREAKING ITS QUARTERBACKS
We’re heading into Week 3 with multiple starting quarterbacks hurt, several backups potentially unavailable, and a growing collection of offensive stars awaiting medical test results.
The Giants got the worst of it Monday night.
The Bears are trying to figure out who’s going to play quarterback.
Washington is waiting for news on Daniels.
Meanwhile, the 49ers are 2-0, and Brock Purdy is healthy and playing outstanding football.
Please keep it that way.
We already have enough material for this column.
If it’s sports and it’s Jacked Up, we cover it.
