Three teams enter Week 2 with a quarterback situation in flux. Seattle will start Drew Lock with Sam Darnold sidelined by a hip injury, Atlanta is expected to stay with Cooper Rush after Tua Tagovailoa sat out Wednesday’s practice with an oblique injury, and Minnesota’s Kyler Murray was limited Wednesday while in concussion protocol, with Carson Wentz the likely fallback. Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow was limited with a back issue but says he will play. Every other team is running back its Week 1 starter.
Week 2 Starting Quarterbacks
| Team | Starting QB | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | Jacoby Brissett | Beat the Chargers as a 9.5 point underdog |
| Atlanta Falcons | Cooper Rush | Tagovailoa (oblique) did not practice Wednesday; Penix full |
| Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson | |
| Buffalo Bills | Josh Allen | Four touchdowns in Week 1 |
| Carolina Panthers | Bryce Young | |
| Chicago Bears | Caleb Williams | Bears scored 59 in Week 1 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow | Limited Wednesday (back), plans to play |
| Cleveland Browns | Deshaun Watson | |
| Dallas Cowboys | Dak Prescott | |
| Denver Broncos | Bo Nix | |
| Detroit Lions | Jared Goff | Plays Thursday behind two backup linemen |
| Green Bay Packers | Jordan Love | |
| Houston Texans | C.J. Stroud | |
| Indianapolis Colts | Daniel Jones | Backup Anthony Richardson (groin) did not practice |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Trevor Lawrence | |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Patrick Mahomes | Won his return from ACL surgery on Monday night |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Kirk Cousins | No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza backs up |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Justin Herbert | |
| Los Angeles Rams | Matthew Stafford | |
| Miami Dolphins | Malik Willis | |
| Minnesota Vikings | Kyler Murray (if cleared) | Concussion protocol; Carson Wentz if not |
| New England Patriots | Drake Maye | |
| New Orleans Saints | Tyler Shough | 410 passing yards in Detroit |
| New York Giants | Jaxson Dart | Beat Dallas in the Harbaugh debut |
| New York Jets | Geno Smith | |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Jalen Hurts | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Aaron Rodgers | |
| San Francisco 49ers | Brock Purdy | |
| Seattle Seahawks | Drew Lock | Darnold (hip) expected out; Jalen Milroe is the backup |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Baker Mayfield | |
| Tennessee Titans | Cam Ward | |
| Washington Commanders | Jayden Daniels |
The Three Situations to Watch
Seattle. Darnold was hurt on the fifth play of the opener and his MRI showed a muscle injury rather than structural damage. He is expected to miss Week 2 and could be back as soon as Week 3 at Washington. Lock went 16 of 22 for 187 yards and a touchdown in relief and led the comeback over New England; he is 10-18 as a career starter.
Atlanta. Tagovailoa was named the starter in August but hurt his oblique in practice before Week 1 and has not played. Rush started the loss at Pittsburgh. Michael Penix Jr., working back from an ACL injury, was a full participant Wednesday, so a return is possible in the coming weeks even if Rush starts Sunday.
Minnesota. Murray left his Vikings debut in the first quarter with a concussion. He was limited Wednesday, which is a positive sign, but he has to clear protocol to start at Chicago. Wentz is the veteran backup.
Related
Week 2 injury report · Week 2 odds · Week 1 starting quarterbacks · NFL standings
The Bottom Line
Lock for Darnold, Rush for Tagovailoa, and a Murray concussion watch. Everyone else is unchanged from Week 1. This page updates if any of the three situations moves before kickoff.