We’re only seven weeks into the 2022 NFL season and already 11 different teams have started a backup quarterback this season or will start their backup quarterback in Week 8.
As the calendar nears November and the playoff hunt heats up, injuries will become even more important with the margin for error becoming razor thin.
Here’s a team-by-team breakdown of the biggest injury news heading into Week 8:
Arizona Cardinals Injuries
The Cardinals played their first game without Marquise Brown on Thursday night, but the returning DeAndre Hopkins had a big game, catching 10 passes for 103 yards on 14 targets.
Arizona was also without starting center Rodney Hudson, however, Billy Price filled in and was the team’s highest-graded pass blocker, according to Pro Football Focus.
Atlanta Falcons Injuries
Cornerback A.J. Terrell is considered week-to-week after suffering a hamstring injury. He previously injured his leg in Week 6, but told reporters the team was just playing it safe. Now the Falcons are without both of their starting cornerbacks.
Darren Hall and Cornell Armstrong finished the game at corner and both struggled against the Bengals’ talented receiving corps. Hall allowed 94 yards on six receptions, including a touchdown.
Armstrong didn’t fare much better, allowing five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown on eight targets.
The suddenly red-hot Panthers are next up on the schedule.
Baltimore Ravens Injuries
The Ravens have a quick turnaround this week with a Thursday night showdown against the Buccaneers looming. Starting cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey headline a list of six starters who didn’t participate in Monday’s practice.
As for Sunday’s action, Gus Edwards was active for the first time since 2020 after being activated from the PUP list. Edwards only played 23 snaps, but led the team with 16 carries and 66 rushing yards. He also contributed a pair of touchdowns.
Buffalo Bills Injuries
The Bills enjoyed their bye this week. As they return to practice, keep an eye on the status of right tackle Spencer Brown who didn’t finish their last game due to an ankle injury.
David Quessenberry finished the game against the Chiefs and allowed two pressures and a sack.
Carolina Panthers Injuries
Chuba Hubbard suffered an ankle injury in the win over Tampa Bay on Sunday, but it isn’t expected to be serious. His status for Sunday will be evaluated later in the week.
D’Onta Foreman is the other guy in the backfield and he contributed 118 rushing yards on Sunday, including a 60-yard carry after Hubbard went out.
As for the Panthers’ injured quarterbacks, neither Baker Mayfield nor Sam Darnold is expected to rejoin the starting lineup once they’re healthy thanks to the performance of P.J. Walker.
The Temple product is expected to be the Panthers’ starting quarterback moving forward.
Chicago Bears Injuries
Backup center Sam Mustipher finished Monday night’s game after Lucas Patrick left the game with a toe injury.
Right guard Teven Jenkins also appeared to get injured, but he returned to the game after a quick trip to the medical tent.
Cincinnati Bengals Injuries
Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson isn’t expected to miss any additional time after suffering a stinger on Sunday against the Falcons.
Hendrickson leads the Bengals in quarterback pressures this season with 28 on 197 pass-rushing snaps. That is tied for seventh-most in the NFL among edge rushers.
Cleveland Browns Injuries
Tight end David Njoku is expected to miss a couple weeks due to a high ankle sprain, but he will not require surgery. He’s currently tied with Amari Cooper for the team lead in receptions.
With Njoku out and Jesse James on IR, Harrison Bryant will get the starting reps at tight end for the Browns. Bryant is fifth on the team in catches this season with 14 receptions for 114 yards in seven games.
The Browns were also without Wyatt Teller, who was replaced by Hjalte Froholdt. Making his first-career start, Froholdt struggled on Sunday, allowing two sacks and an additional pressure.
Dallas Cowboys Injuries
Defensive back Jourdan Lewis will miss the remainder of the 2022 season after undergoing surgery to fix a Lisfranc injury. Rookie fifth-round pick DaRon Bland filled in and played seven snaps in the win.
Bland previously played 49 snaps in the slot against Washington in Week 4 and did have an interception. However, he was also torched for nine catches and 98 yards on 11 total targets.
Dak Prescott did return for Dallas and played well, completing 19 of his 25 attempts for 207 yards and a touchdown. However, Ezekiel Elliott is currently dealing with a bruised knee that could limit his practice availability this week.
Denver Broncos Injuries
Russell Wilson was a surprise inactive on Sunday and remains day-to-day with his hamstring injury. Denver’s next game is in London against the Jaguars.
Denver is last in the NFL in points scored and managed just nine against the Jets with Brett Rypien under center on Sunday. He would start again if Wilson remains on the sideline.
Mike Boone is headed to the IR after suffering a high ankle sprain. He had 85 yards from scrimmage in Week 5, but received just six touches in the last two games. Latavius Murray and Melvin Gordon will carry the running game from this point forward.
Detroit Lions Injuries
Amon-Ra St. Brown is expected to return next week despite currently progressing through concussion protocol. D’Andre Swift’s status remains up in the air after he was a surprise inactive on Sunday.
The Lions’ offense has sputtered in recent weeks. After averaging over 30 points per game through Week 4, they have just six total points and zero touchdowns in their last two games.
Green Bay Packers Injuries
The receiving injuries continued in Green Bay on Sunday as Allen Lazard left the stadium in a sling after suffering a shoulder injury.
The Packers are already missing Randall Cobb and Christian Watson. If Lazard is also out, that leaves Romeo Doubs, Sammy Watkins, and Amari Rodgers as the healthy receivers.
Watkins returned from the IR on Sunday and contributed two catches for 36 yards in the loss.
Despite practicing all week, David Bakhtiari was inactive due to discomfort in his surgically-repaired knee. It’s an unfortunate situation for the All-Pro, but his status will need to be monitored every week as he told reporters he doesn’t know when he will have a bad day.
Houston Texans Injuries
Rookie Kenyon Green suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday and was replaced by Justin McCray. However, his injury isn’t expected to be a long-term issue and he’s currently considered day-to-day.
Also considered day-to-day is Maliek Collins who is dealing with a chest injury. The interior defensive lineman is second on the team in quarterback pressures.
Kurt Hinish and Thomas Booker V are the reserves currently behind Collins on the depth chart.
Indianapolis Colts Injuries
Matt Ryan suffered a separated shoulder on Sunday and will be replaced by Sam Ehlinger as the Colts’ starting quarterback. However, due to Ryan’s ineffectiveness, Frank Reich announced Ehlinger will be the starter for the rest of the season.
Ryan is expected to return as the team’s backup once he’s healthy, but for now Super Bowl 52 MVP Nick Foles will be holding the clipboard for Ehlinger, who will throw his first NFL pass against the Commanders on Sunday.
Jacksonville Jaguars Injuries
The Jaguars played without starting cornerback Shaquill Griffin on Sunday. He was out due to a back injury and was replaced by Tre Herndon in the starting lineup.
Herndon was only targeted three times on Sunday, but did allow a 32-yard touchdown catch.
Kansas City Chiefs Injuries
The Chiefs enter their bye following a 44-23 win over the 49ers. Starting cornerback Rashad Fenton as well as rookie Trent McDuffie are expected to return in Week 9 according to Andy Reid.
The Chiefs cornerbacks on Sunday, Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson allowed six catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns on nine total targets. Although, Williams did have two pass breakups and an interception.
Las Vegas Raiders Injuries
Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor exited after just 14 snaps on Sunday due to an ankle injury. There is still no update on his condition.
Eluemunor was replaced by Thayer Munford, who finished the day as the Raiders’ second-highest pass blocker behind only Josh Jacobs. The seventh-round rookie has allowed one sack in 133 pass-blocking snaps this season.
Los Angeles Chargers Injuries
The Chargers will be without Mike Williams for some time after he suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday. Further complicating issues is Keenan Allen, who returned for the first time since injuring his hamstring in Week 1, but did not play in the second half.
Williams has carried the Chargers’ passing offense, catching 37 passes and averaging 70.1 yards per game. Fortunately for Los Angeles, the bye week is coming and they have 14 days to get their receivers healthy for a Week 9 matchup against the Seahawks.
One guy who won’t return is J.C. Jackson. The former Patriot ruptured his patellar tendon and will miss the rest of the season. That will elevate Michael Davis into the starting lineup.
Los Angeles Rams Injuries
While one LA team deals with some tough news, things are looking brighter for the Rams who designated Van Jefferson to return from the IR and expect Brian Allen to return to practice this week after missing every game since Week 1.
The Rams could really use Allen back with both Coleman Shelton and Tremayne Anchrum on IR. If he’s healthy, he’d immediately get his starting job back, sending Jeremiah Kolone back to the bench.
As for Jefferson, his return could help the Rams’ struggling vertical passing offense. Matt Stafford has completed just four of his 17 deep pass attempts this season with zero touchdowns and one pick.
Jefferson had eight catches for 386 yards and three touchdowns on such throws last season.
Miami Dolphins Injuries
The Dolphins will place safety Brandon Jones on IR this week after he suffered a knee injury.
Miami used both Clayton Fejedelem and Eric Rowe to fill Jones’s snaps against the Steelers. Fejedelem has just 49 defensive snaps played in his three years with Miami.
As for Rowe, the former cornerback has been mostly used in the box for Miami since joining the team in 2019. He seems to be a better fit for Jones’s role in the defense.
Minnesota Vikings Injuries
The Vikings were on bye this week, but have remained healthy for much of the season. Edge rusher D.J. Wonnum missed their last game due to an illness, but should be back at practice this week.
New England Patriots Injuries
Mac Jones returned from his high ankle sprain on Monday night, but was benched after just a couple series. However, that move seemed to be motivated more by ineffectiveness than his injury.
Jones told reporters after the game that his ankle is feeling better, although he also admitted it could get better with time.
Bailey Zappe came in and led two consecutive touchdown drives, but the Patriots’ offense sputtered after that, getting shut out in the second half of their 33-14 loss.
New Orleans Saints Injuries
The Saints were missing four offensive starters and two defensive starters on Thursday night last week.
Even without wide receivers Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry inactive, the Saints racked up over 400 yards passing with 106 of those yards coming from Chris Olave.
Rookie Rashid Shaheed has become a big play threat in his first NFL action. He had a 44-yard touchdown run last week and added a 53-yard touchdown catch against the Cardinals.
New York Giants Injuries
Rookie first-round pick Evan Neal is expected to miss at least three weeks after suffering an MCL injury on Sunday. Devery Hamilton should make his first NFL start next week.
Hamilton has played 34 snaps at right tackle this season, mainly as a run-blocker. The former Duke Blue Devil was signed by the Raiders as an undrafted free agent last season.
Tight end Daniel Bellinger is expected to miss some time after suffering a broken eye socket against the Jaguars. The rookie is the only Giant with multiple receiving touchdowns this season, catching two of the team’s six TDs.
Tanner Hudson is next on the depth chart. He has three catches on six targets for 40 yards this season.
New York Jets Injuries
The Jets lost two key players on Sunday. Rookie Breece Hall is out for the year after tearing his ACL and second-year offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker will also miss the rest of 2022 with a triceps injury.
New York didn’t waste any time trying to replace Hall, trading a conditional sixth-round pick to the Jaguars for James Robinson. Robinson played a season-low 12 snaps on Sunday and didn’t touch the ball in the loss to the Giants. He will split time with Michael Carter.
As for Vera-Tucker, he’s been crucial to the Jets this season, starting games at right guard, left tackle, and right tackle. The Jets have now lost three different right tackles for the season.
Former Chief Mike Remmers is on the roster, but Cedric Ogbuehi filled in on Sunday. The 2015 first-round pick started one game for the Seahawks last season and allowed just one pressure on 23 snaps against the Broncos on Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles Injuries
The Eagles are coming off their bye week, but keep an eye on Lane Johnson’s status in practice this week. The All-Pro right tackle ended Week 6 in concussion protocol and was replaced by Jack Driscoll.
Johnson hasn’t allowed a sack since Week 11 of the 2020 season when he was playing on a collapsed ankle. It’s one of only two sacks he’s allowed since Week 6 of the 2018 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Injuries
Despite playing all but one defensive snap on Sunday, cornerback Levi Wallace is dealing with a shoulder injury this week.
Wallace dropped two interceptions on Sunday and his injury occurred on the second one. With Ahkello Witherspoon also out, Cameron Sutton and James Pierre are the two outside corners left on the Steelers’ roster.
San Francisco 49ers Injuries
The 49ers will be without Kyle Juszczyk on Sunday after he underwent surgery for a broken finger. The fullback is expected to return to the team after their bye week.
Christian McCaffrey could see a bigger workload next week, especially with Deebo Samuel currently dealing with a hamstring injury.
Samuel has had a great run of success against the Rams in recent years, averaging over 100 receiving yards in his last four games against Los Angeles, including a six-catch, 115-yard performance earlier this season.
Seattle Seahawks Injuries
DK Metcalf suffered a patellar tendon injury on Sunday, but will not need surgery according to Pete Carroll. In fact, Metcalf is already campaigning to rejoin the team at practice on Wednesday.
It’s been a tough season for Metcalf, who has eclipsed 70 yards just twice and has three catches for 46 yards in his last two games.
Tyler Lockett and Marquise Goodwin were the Seahawks leading receivers against the Chargers on Sunday. Lockett had seven catches for 45 yards and Goodwin added 67 yards and two touchdowns on four catches.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injuries
Defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. is expected to miss Thursday night’s game after suffering a concussion on Sunday. Due to the nature of the NFL’s concussion protocol, it is impossible for him to be cleared before Friday.
Winfield has spent most of this season in the slot, playing 270 snaps as the nickel corner and just 105 at free safety. Dee Delaney filled in last week despite playing only 29 snaps in the slot in his four-year career.
The Bucs are already missing safety Logan Ryan and both of their starting corners were inactive against the Panthers on Sunday.
P.J. Walker torched the Buccaneers on Sunday, completing 72 percent of his passes and averaging over eight yards per attempt.
Tennessee Titans Injuries
Ryan Tannehill suffered a right ankle injury on Sunday, but he still expects to play next week.
The 10-year veteran hasn’t missed a start since 2018 after the beginning of his career was marred by injuries.
Rookie Malik Willis got some action in Week 2, throwing four passes, but completing just one for six yards. Willis played three snaps at the end of Sunday’s win over Indianapolis.
Washington Commanders Injuries
The Commanders expect to designate Chase Young to return from the IR sometime this week. The former Defensive Rookie of the Year hasn’t played since tearing his ACL last season.
Washington’s pass rush currently ranks third in the NFL in pressure percentage this season.