Will Lamar Jackson miss his first NFL stat ever in Week 5? Could LA Chargers veteran Tyrod Taylor get back under center in spite of rookie Justin Herbert’s eye-opening play the last three weeks? Can the Denver Broncos survive another week without the strong-armed Drew Lock calling the shots? Okay MyBookie NFL betting enthusiasts, with Week 5 of the 2020 NFL season on hand, it’s time to look at the league’s most costly quarterback injuries and how they’re affecting each team in their respective races to reach the playoffs. Let’s jump right into action so you can keep doing your bets for week 5 against their NFL odds.
Quarterback Injuries and How They’re Affecting Each Team
Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens franchise quarterback and reigning league MVP has missed practice this week as he deals with a what is being described as a ‘minor’ knee injury. The good news for the Ravens and their betting backers is that Jackson has never missed a start since taking over for Joe Flacco. Wednesday’s missed practice was just the third practice that Jackson has missed during the regular season in his three-year NFL career. However, it should be noted that Jackson has been hit 340 times in his young career and that figure is 112 more times than any other quarterback. Still, Jackson has yet to miss a start during his 26-game run as Baltimore’s starter. The Ravens are 3-1 and in second place in the AFC North behind unbeaten Pittsburgh. Baltimore hosts division rival Cincinnati on Sunday.
Tyrod Taylor – L.A. Chargers
After starting the Chargers season-opening 16-13 road win over Cincinnati, veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been out of the lineup ever since a team doctor punctured his lung while administering a pain killing injection. The good news for the Bolts is that rookie signal-caller Justin Herbert has been fantastic in throwing for at least 291 yards in each of his three starts, although Los Angeles has lost all three games. Now, with Taylor on the mend, head coach Anthony Lynn is saying the starting job still belongs to Taylor, but I remain skeptical. Herbert’s play certainly isn’t the reasons the Chargers have dropped three straight and I’m not sure I’d start Taylor again while derailing the learning process that Herbert has undergone in recent weeks.
Drew Lock – Denver Broncos
Denver’s second-year quarterback was injured in the Broncos Week 2 road loss against Pittsburgh, but he returned to practice just this week. Lock fell on his throwing shoulder while being sacked by Bud Dupree but he avoided structural damage to his shoulder and should be back on the field, if not in Week 5, then certainly by Week 6. While Denver has gone 1-1 in Lock’s absence, their victory came against an awful New York Jets team that is already looking toward next year’s NFL Draft in the hopes of landing Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Backup quarterback Jeff Driskel was completely awful in completing just 54.7 percent of his passes before head coach Vic Fangio benched the veteran in favor of the younger Brett Rypien. However, with Rypien throwing just two TD passes against four interceptions, it’s clear the Broncos need Lock back under center in the worst way as they sit in last place in the AFC West at 1-3.
Jimmy Garoppolo – San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers franchise quarterback went down in Week 2 with a high ankle sprain but returned to practice this week and could see action in Week 5 against the lowly Miami Dolphins. While the Niners have split two games in beating the Giants in Week 3, their Week 4 loss against a mediocre Philadelphia squad highlighted Frisco’s need to have a competent starting quarterback under center. Backup Nick Mullens was awful in throwing three interceptions against Philly the last time out. While third-stringer C.J. Beathard was a lot better in relief of Mullens, San Francisco is clearly not the same team on offense without Jimmy G under center. With upcoming games against the Rams, Patriots, Seahawks and Packers, Garoppolo needs to get back on the field in a hurry with unbeaten Seattle already up two games in the loaded NFC West.
Sam Darnold – N.Y. Jets
The Jets are turning to mediocre veteran Joe Flacco to replace gifted, but struggling starter Sam Darnold under center. The Jets saw Darnold go down with a right shoulder sprain in their Week 4 loss to Denver and now, the former USC star is listed as week-to-week. Whether Flacco succeeds or doesn’t, it won’t matter much to a Jets team that is simply awful and in need of a big change in head coaches. It’s a damned shame, but New York looks to have already ruined the strong-armed Darnold after selecting him third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Cam Newton – New England Patriots
Last, but not least, New England Patriots starter Cam Newton was put on injured reserve after testing positive for COVID-19 last week. Newton did not play in Monday night’s 26-10 loss against Kansas City and it’s clear the Pats need him back under center because Brian Hoyer is completely awful and Jarrett Stidham, just slightly less so. Newton could be cleared to return in five days since his first positive test if he continues not to exhibit any symptoms, has two negative tests 24 hours apart within those five days and is cleared by the team doctor. New England has a tough schedule ahead with games against Baltimore, Houston and Arizona on the schedule the next three weeks, the Pats need Newton back in the worst way!
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