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Krykslants: NFL QB is one hazardous profession

Injury list through six weeks just keeps growing

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If you want to know (a) why NFL officials are so quick to throw roughing-the-quarterback flags, and (b) how tough NFL quarterbacks are, check out this roll-call of roughed-up QBs so far this NFL season:

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  • Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield re-separated his left (non-throwing) shoulder Sunday against Arizona, yet intends to play Thursday night against Denver.
  • Arizona’s Kyler Murray was limited in practice last week, on Wednesday and Thursday, with an injury to his right (throwing) shoulder.
  • Seattle’s Russell Wilson is on IR with a mangled middle finger on his right (throwing) hand, suffered a week ago.
  • Dallas’ Dak Prescott was in a walking boot after Sunday’s overtime win at New England, a precaution to protect the right calf he injured on his final-play TD throw. “It just came down funny. “(I’ll) get check out and I’ll be fine.” Although Prescott vowed he’ll heal up during this week’s bye and be ready to go next week, reportedly he was to have an MRI on the calf on Monday.
  • Indy’s Carson Wentz played two weeks ago on not one but two sprained ankles. This, after overcoming a left-foot injury that sidelined him for most of training camp.
  • Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady injured the thumb on his right (throwing) hand against Miami a week ago Sunday, but played through it in last Thursday’s win at Philadelphia.
  • San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo injured a calf in Week 4 and might be ready to return this week. His replacement, rookie Trey Lance, suffered a knee sprain in his lone start at Arizona and might not be ready to play this coming Sunday night against Indianapolis.
  • Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger has battled pectoral and hip injuries this season, but hasn’t missed a game.
  • Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa suffered cracked ribs early in Week 2’s loss to Buffalo, and only returned on Sunday.
  • New York Giants’ Daniel Jones suffered a concussion a week ago Sunday yet fully practised five days later, and started and played (horribly) in Sunday’s loss to the L.A. Rams.
  • Denver’s Teddy Bridgewater was concussed two Sundays ago, and like Jones returned fully to practice only five days later, and has started and played (not well) the past two games.
  • Las Vegas’ Derek Carr sprained an ankle in Week 2 at Pittsburgh yet didn’t miss a subsequent practice, let alone a game.
  • Houston’s Tyrod Taylor has been out since suffering a nasty hamstring injury in Week 2.
  • Chicago’s Andy Dalton suffered a knee sprain (MCL) in Week 2 and lost his starting job to rookie Justin Fields.
  • Washington’s Ryan Fitzpatrick was lost for the season early in Week 1, with a hip subluxation.
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Not only is this not a definitive list, it includes only injuries the above passers have disclosed. You’ll recall we found out about the torn knee ligament Brady played through last season — which required off-season surgery — only this past summer.

And there are still 12 weeks to go in this regular season!

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MORE ON MAYFIELD

It’s rare to see any player, let alone one with a bull’s-eye on his shirt, compete in the NFL with a separated shoulder. But that’s what Mayfield promised Sunday night he’d do — on only three days’ rest — against the Broncos this Thursday night.

Asked following Sunday’s 37-14 loss to Arizona if it’s an aggravation of the previously reported left shoulder injury (a reported labrum tear), Mayfield replied: “It dislocated again, and slipped out again, on a non-contact play. Just have to figure out a way to get better.”

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How does it feel?
“It feels like s**t,” Mayfield said, left arm in sling.

Does he plan to play through the injury?
“Yes,” he said.

To ensure the latest shoulder separation did not damage the labrum (the fibrocartilage that keeps the ball of the top-arm bone in the shoulder socket) to an unsafe-to-play extent, Mayfield was to undergo an MRI on Monday.

But Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski at mid-day would only say “we’ll gather more information over the next couple of days on him” — as well as on wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who injured his right shoulder against the Cards.

What if Mayfield continues to insist he can play, even if it’s not the most prudent decision for him, medically?

“I’m going to defer on the medical staff when a player is ready or not ready to return to play,” Stefanski said. “We will always do what’s right by our guys.”

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And if such uncertainty at an integral position makes it hard to game-plan for the Broncos, in such a short, quickly diminishing time frame?

“We have to be fluid in what we do … That’s no different than everybody in the NFL right now,” Stefanski said. “You have guys that may make it to the game, and those who may not. That’s life in the big city.”

Worse for the big-city Browns, running back Kareem Hunt’s calf injury was determined Monday to be “significant,” Stefanski said, and that will keep him out for “weeks.”

Reports said at least three weeks.

What’s more, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s ankle injury “also is significant … that’s also in the weeks,” Stefanski said.

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FIVE FAST FACTS

The Patriots are 2-0 on the road, 0-4 at home … Lamar Jackson has won more games (35) before age 25 than any QB in NFL history … Dallas CB Trevon Diggs is the only NFL player besides Rod Woodson to notch seven interceptions before Week 7 … Patrick Mahomes has thrown more interceptions alone (8) than Josh Allen had picks plus sacks entering Monday night (2 + 5 = 7) … Of QBs who have played six games, Matthew Stafford has the best passer rating (116.6).

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TAKING A KNEE

Ninth-year right offensive tackle Lane Johnson returned Monday to the Philadelphia Eagles, after missing three games for what was described by the club only as “personal reasons.”

Johnson himself has bravely divulged the reasons, in this social-media message that’s worth including here in its entirety:

“I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and support over the last two weeks. I appreciate the positive notes and messages, as I’ve worked hard to restore my personal life.

“Depression and anxiety are things I’ve dealt with for a long time, and have kept hidden from my friends and family. If you’re reading this and struggling, please know that you are not alone.

“I am excited to re-join my teammates and coaches. I’m grateful for the entire Eagles community and look forward to continuing to play in front of (the) best fans in the world.”

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Good on Lane. A worthy example to follow if you can, if you’re in such a spot.

A day of firsts for five Canadian NFL rookies

Sunday was a day of firsts and mosts for this year’s five-man Canadian NFL rookie class.

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga saw his first significant defensive NFL action, getting in on 58% of L.A.’s defensive snaps (40) in the loss at Baltimore, plus 39% of special-teams plays (nine).

Ogbongbemiga was born in Nigeria, spent the latter part of his grade-school years in Houston, before living in Calgary while in high school. The speedy linebacker surprisingly made the Chargers roster last month as an undrafted free agent.

No offence in the league, arguably, taxes a linebacker more than QB Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ run/pass wizardry. So it was a baptism under fire, of sorts, for Ogbongbemiga.

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Before Sunday he’d played in three games this season, but 38 of his 39 snaps came on special teams.

Ogbongbemiga’s good friend and fellow Albertan — Carolina Panthers rookie running back Chuba Hubbard — scored his first NFL touchdown, in his third start in relief of injured Christian McCaffrey. Hubbard, a fourth-round draft pick in April, had 17 touches for 65 yards of offence in a loss against Minnesota, but the Edmonton-area native dropped two passes.

Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland — a second-round draft pick born and partially raised in Coquitlam, B.C. — for the first time as a pro got in on 100% of his team’s defensive snaps, in a loss to Jacksonville in England. He broke up one pass in his third NFL start.

Washington Football Team cornerback Benjamin St-Juste — a third-round draft pick from Montreal — started his first game as a pro, and got in on 49% of Washington’s defensive snaps (40) in a loss to Kansas City.

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Ogbongbemiga’s Canadian rookie teammate on the Chargers — third-round draft pick Josh Palmer of Brampton, Ont. — caught one pass for eights yards against the Ravens. The wide receiver was targeted by Justin Herbert four times, his most yet in any game.

QUARTERBACK RANKINGS

All 32 starting QBs, after Sunday games, with last week’s rankings in brackets:

  1. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay (1). First-half precision enough.
  2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay (2). Owns the Bears, y’know.
  3. Josh Allen, Buffalo (3). Played Monday night.
  4. Kyler Murray, Arizona (5). And he has a bum shoulder?
  5. Dak Prescott, Dallas (6). Another heroic, prolific effort.
  6. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City (4). Says INTs irrelevant.
  7. Matthew Stafford, L.A. Rams (8). Carved up the Giants.
  8. Justin Herbert, L.A. Chargers (7). First clunker of 2021.
  9. Derek Carr, Las Vegas (9). Tough deal. Gutty, great play.
  10. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore (10). Can now pass as needed.
  11. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota (11). When Cook cooks, wow.
  12. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland (12). Brave as hell, really.
  13. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati (13). Is he Top 10 worthy? Yup.
  14. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh (16). That’s more like it.
  15. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee (15). Played Monday night.
  16. Matt Ryan, Atlanta (17). Had a bye.
  17. Mac Jones, New England (18). Impressing by the week.
  18. Carson Wentz, Indianapolis (21). Improving by the game.
  19. Teddy Bridgewater, Denver (14). Being OK isn’t enough.
  20. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville (19). Win No. 1, finally.
  21. Jared Goff, Detroit (20). Even his coach is disappointed.
  22. Sam Darnold, Carolina (22). Drops, brain-cramps galore.
  23. Jameis Winston, New Orleans (23). Had a bye.
  24. Geno Smith, Seattle (25). Nearly enough to beat Steelers.
  25. Daniel Jones, N.Y. Giants (24). He’s hot or cold now.
  26. Justin Fields, Chicago (26). Still raw but improving.
  27. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami (NR). Why should he be higher?
  28. Taylor Heinicke, Washington (28). Try-hard, spurts guy.
  29. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia (29). Must produce TDs earlier.
  30. Davis Mills, Houston (30). He’s in such a tough spot.
  31. Trey Lance, San Fran (31). Had a bye.
  32. Zach Wilson, N.Y. Jets (32). Tired INT meter had a bye.
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THIS WEEK

Quick thoughts on Week 7 games (all on Sunday unless noted):

  • Broncos at Browns, Thursday, 8:20 ET: Two teams wobbling — Denver by losing skid, Cleveland by injuries.
  • Bengals at Ravens, 1 ET: By record, two best teams in the AFC North battle it out for first-place honours.
  • WashingtonFT at Packers, 1 ET: What can you say? Looks like a field day for Aaron Rodgers and crew.
  • Falcons at Dolphins, 1 ET: Raise your hand if you thought the Falcons (2) would have more wins than the Fish (1).
  • Jets at Patriots, 1 ET: Second meeting already of these AFC East rivals. New England’s first home win, surely, comes here.
  • Panthers at Giants, 1 ET: Scars of Dave Gettleman’s iffy player moves noticeable on both these rosters.
  • Chiefs at Titans, 1 ET: Short week for Tennessee. Pressure’s still on Mahomes and crew to cut out gaffes.
  • Lions at Rams, 4:05 ET: Matthew Stafford vs. Jared Goff. So, how’s that trade working out for both teams?
  • Eagles at Raiders, 4:05 ET: No reason Las Vegas shouldn’t improve to 5-2. Philly’s playing out the string after Ertz trade.
  • Texans at Cardinals, 4:25 ET: TE Zach Ertz’s debut for Arizona. A great offence becomes that much better.
  • Bears at Buccaneers, 4:25 ET: Arguably Tampa Bay’s worst offensive performance last season was vs. Chicago.
  • Colts at 49ers, 8:20 ET: The NFL and NBC didn’t want to sub this out for a better matchup for what reason, exactly?
  • Saints at Seahawks, Monday, 8:15 ET: More Geno Smith in prime time. Just what North America wanted!

BYES: Bills, Jaguars, Cowboys, Chargers, Vikings, Steelers.

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