Banged-up NFL Quarterbacks

SI Staff | Nov 8, 2010

Banged-up NFL Quarterbacks /

Banged-up NFL Quarterbacks

Tony Romo

The 2010 season hasn't been easy on NFL quarterbacks. Here's a look at those who have missed time because of one injury or another, starting with Tony Romo, who's out indefinitely with a fractured clavicle. Romo suffered the injury after being sacked by an unblocked Michael Boley in a Week 7 game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.

Brett Favre

At 41 years old, Brett Favre isn't running around on fresh legs anymore. Earlier this season, X-rays revealed a stress fracture in his left ankle after Week 7's 28-24 defeat to Green Bay. The following week he was forced to leave a game against the Patriots after receiving a cut to his chin that required stitches.

Max Hall

While making the first road start of his career in a Week 7 game at Seattle, Max Hall left in the third quarter with a concussion. The injury occurred on a blindside sack by Chris Clemons.

Alex Smith

The 49ers have had their share of lows so far in 2010, but added another to the list when Alex Smith went down with a shoulder injury in a 23-20 loss to Carolina in Week 7. The quarterback was plowed to the ground by defensive end Charles Johnson, and remained on the turf for several minutes following the hit. He's expected to be out two to three weeks with a separated shoulder.

Vince Young

Vince Young feared the worst when his left leg was twisted underneath him as he tried to recover a fumbled snap in a Week 6 game at Jacksonville. Turns out he suffered a mild sprained knee and ankle, which opened the door for Kerry Collins to finish that game and a Week 7 victory over Philadelphia.

David Garrard

The Jacksonville Jaguars lost their starting quarterback to a concussion in a Week 6 game against Tennessee when he was tackled by Will Weatherespoon. "Once I got to the sideline, I knew something bad had happened," said Garrard, "but then the next day, it was just awful. I couldn't really see light. I couldn't hear loud noises, that type of thing. My focus, my demeanor was really slowed down. The way I was talking was really slow. Like I said, it was a terrible experience to go through. It was a tough experience to go through, but hopefully it doesn't happen again."

Trent Edwards

Forced into action after David Garrard suffered a concussion, Trent Edwards was injured in the same Week 6 game, badly spraining the thumb on his throwing hand after slamming it into an opponent's helmet. Though he played several series with the injury, Edwards had a splint put on the thumb afterward and didn't start the following week.

Bruce Gradkowski

After wrestling the starting job away from Jason Campbell earlier in the season, Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski has had to resume his spot on the bench after suffering a shoulder injury late in the first quarter of Week 5. Gradkowski had been fairly effective before taking a hit from San Diego's Shaun Phillips, totaling 709 yards and four touchdowns during his four-game stint.

Jay Cutler

During a Week 4 showdown with the Giants, Jay Cutler was sacked. Then he was sacked again. Then again. By the time the first half was over, the Bears' QB had been drilled a whopping nine times, sustaining a concussion in the process.

Todd Collins

On a night when Jay Cutler was sacked nine times in the first half and left with a concussion, backup quarterback Todd Collins didn't fare much better against the New York Giants. He left the game in the fourth quarter after suffering a stinger on a hit by linebacker Michael Boley.

Kevin Kolb

The fourth-year quarterback began the season as the Eagles starter, but suffered a concussion in a Week 1 loss to the Packers. He lost his starting job in the process as Michael Vick played so well that coach Andy Reid decided to make the switch.

Michael Vick

The Eagles starter suffered cartilage damage in his rib cage in Week 4 when he was sandwiched between Kareem Moore and DeAngelo Hall at the end of a 23-yard run to the Redskins 1 that was negated by a holding penalty. He missed three games while healing.

Dennis Dixon

After starting the first two games in place of suspended quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Dennis Dixon suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee in Week 3. He's out for the season.

Matthew Stafford

The No. 1 overall pick in 2009, Matthew Stafford entered 2010 determined to reverse the Lions' losing ways, as the team had won just two games over the previous two seasons. He got off to a quick start, carrying Detroit to an early lead at Chicago before being sidelined at the end of the second quarter with a shoulder injury. Detroit limped to a 1-5 record without him and went 1-1 upon his return. Unfortunately, he reinjured the shoulder in a Week 9 loss to the Jets.

Shaun Hill

The Lions just can't catch a break. Backup quarterback Shaun Hill seemed to be finding his rhythm after dissecting the Rams' defense for three touchdowns in a Week 5 rout, and had connected on nine of his first 15 passes during an Oct. 17 showdown in New York. That comfort zone quickly evaporated as Hill broke his left arm late in the first half. Former Michigan State QB Drew Stanton entered the game for Detroit, tossing for 222 yards in the Lions' 28-20 loss.

Matt Moore

The first of five quarterbacks to be knocked out of a game by the New Giants this season, Moore left with a concussion after a blind side hit in Game 1. He passed the medical tests and was back on the field the following week. In Week 9 he tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder, necessitating season-ending surgery.

Jake Delhomme

Acquired to bring veteran leadership to the budding Browns, Jake Delhomme has spent most of the season on the sidelines. The quarterback was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain after the team's Week 1 loss, making only one appearance since then during an Oct. 10 matchup with the Falcons.

Seneca Wallace

Seneca Wallace seemed to have resolved Cleveland's QB issues after Delhomme's injury until the former Iowa State Cyclone suffered one of his own. During a Week 5 game against Atlanta, Wallace tweaked his ankle, forcing him out of the contest. With both Delhomme and Wallace recovering, rookie Colt McCoy has taken the reins, leading the team -- with lots of help from the defense -- to a stunning 30-17 upset of the defending-champion Saints in Week 7 and a victory over the Patriots in Week 9.

Matt Hasselbeck

Playing behind a porous Seattle offensive line, Matt Hasslebeck was sacked eight times by the Raiders in Week 8. The Seahawks lost 33-3, and Hasslebeck was diagnosed with a "slight" concussion. Fearful of the Giants track record against quarterbacks, the Seahawks benched Hasslebeck during the Seahawks-Giants game in Week 9.

Published Nov 8, 2010

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