The 2023 season wasn’t kind to a lot of star NFL quarterbacks, with seven of them going down to serious injuries. Fast forward to 2024, and they’re back on the field, but the big question is: how are they really doing? Are they playing like their old selves, or is there still some rust to shake off? With three games into the season, it’s time to check in on how these signal-callers are performing and whether they’re living up to expectations.
Let’s Take A Look At Seven Injured NFL QBs Handle Their Returns In 2024 Season
Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)
Joe Burrow’s 2023 season ended abruptly with a torn ligament in his right wrist during Week 11 against the Ravens. His absence left the Bengals scrambling, and Jake Browning’s efforts weren’t enough to keep the team in playoff contention. They finished 4-3 after Burrow’s injury and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
In 2024, Burrow’s return has been met with optimism. He’s thrown five touchdown passes, accumulated 746 passing yards, and posted a respectable 62.5 Total QBR. His completion percentage stands at 70.9%, a promising sign. Burrow’s game has shown steady improvement each week, with both his QBR and yards per attempt on an upward trajectory. He feels confident in his wrist’s progress, particularly after his Week 3 performance against Washington, where he connected with Ja’Marr Chase for two touchdowns on deep throws.
However, Burrow’s accuracy has taken a slight dip compared to his pre-injury form. His off-target throw percentage sits at 14.9%, the highest of his career and above his usual 12.6%. This minor issue could be attributed to adjusting after the injury, but it’s something to keep an eye on moving forward.
Also Read: Assessing the NFL’s Winless Teams: Which Has the Best Chance to Revive Their 2024 Season?
Kirk Cousins (Atlanta Falcons)
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Kirk Cousins suffered a torn right Achilles in Week 8 against the Packers last season, leaving the Vikings to rely on Jaren Hall, Joshua Dobbs, and Nick Mullens. None could save Minnesota’s playoff hopes. Cousins moved on to sign a four-year deal with the Falcons in the offseason.
So far in 2024, Cousins has shown flashes of his old self, with four touchdowns, 626 passing yards, and a 66.7% completion rate. In Week 2, he led a critical game-winning drive against the Eagles, showing his ability to step up under pressure. When protected, Cousins has been sharp, completing 39 of 55 passes without much trouble.
However, Cousins has struggled to handle pressure since returning. Historically reliable against the blitz, his numbers in 2024 tell a different story. He’s only completed 11 of 22 attempts against blitzes, and his passer rating plummets from 116.1 when unpressured to a mere 43.1 under duress. This discomfort, when pressured, could be a lingering effect of the Achilles injury.
Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers)
Justin Herbert’s 2023 season was cut short by a fractured right finger in Week 14. Easton Stick couldn’t keep the Chargers afloat, and they missed the playoffs. In 2024, Herbert’s numbers are down compared to previous seasons, but there’s more to the story.
Herbert has thrown four touchdowns but only 399 passing yards, which is partly due to the Chargers leaning heavily on their rushing attack. The team has racked up 459 rushing yards, with J.K. Dobbins leading the NFL in yards per carry. Herbert’s finger hasn’t been a concern, but new injuries have emerged. A plantar fascia injury in August sidelined him during preseason, and a high ankle sprain in Week 2 has since aggravated his situation. He left the Week 3 game early and is questionable for Week 4 against the Chiefs.
Daniel Jones (New York Giants)
Daniel Jones faced a torn ACL in Week 9 last season, marking his second season-ending injury in three years. In his absence, the Giants experimented with Tommy DeVito and Tyrod Taylor, but neither could steer the team to success.
Returning in 2024, Jones has shown no signs of hesitation when it comes to using his legs. He’s been involved in nine designed runs, and he’s stated that his knee feels perfectly fine. Despite his physical recovery, his accuracy has been shaky. Jones has a 59.6% completion rate this year, significantly lower than his 64.0% career average. His off-target throw percentage has also increased from 15.5% to 20.4%, suggesting that he’s still adjusting to planting confidently on his surgically repaired leg.
Also Read: 10 NFL Teams Whose 2024 Seasons Are OVER Already
Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts)
Anthony Richardson’s rookie season was marred by a shoulder injury and an AC joint sprain in Week 5. Despite the early struggles, he’s back for his sophomore season and looks as physically gifted as ever.
Richardson’s biggest strength as quarterback remains his powerful arm. He leads the league in air yards per attempt with an impressive 11.9 average, proving his shoulder is back to full strength. However, his accuracy has been a significant issue in 2024. Completing only 49.1% of his passes, Richardson has thrown six interceptions, raising questions about whether his injury layoff affected his mechanics. He’s a work in progress, and while the potential is clear, his inconsistency has held him back.
Aaron Rodgers (New York Jets)
Aaron Rodgers’ highly anticipated 2023 season with the Jets was derailed almost immediately with a torn Achilles in Week 1. In his absence, Zach Wilson and others tried to salvage the Jets’ season, but the team ended up missing the playoffs.
Rodgers is back in 2024 and has shown flashes of his old self. He’s thrown for five touchdowns and 624 yards, with a 67.4% completion rate. What’s been most encouraging is Rodgers’ mobility. After limited movement early on, he impressed in Week 3, escaping the pocket and making off-platform throws. Still, there’s some rust. Rodgers’ air yards per attempt is the lowest of his career at 6.5. He’s been quick to release the ball, possibly to avoid further injury. There’s a sense that the Jets’ offense is still missing a fundamental dimension, but Rodgers has shown he can return to form.
Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns)
Deshaun Watson’s 2023 season ended with a broken bone in his right shoulder in Week 10. Watson’s absence was felt despite Joe Flacco stepping in and leading the Browns to a playoff berth.
In 2024, Watson’s mobility has returned, and he’s still a dual-threat quarterback with 85 rushing yards through three games. But his passing game is another story. Watson has been wildly inconsistent, with a 57.8% completion rate and an off-target rate of 24.5%, one of the worst in the league. His deep ball accuracy has been especially concerning, completing only 32.3% of passes that travel ten or more yards. Watson insists his shoulder is healthy, but his performances say otherwise.
