The 2024 injury bug has already come for different NFL players at training camp, but none have been harder hit than the quarterback position.
Three different QBs — Dak Prescott, Drew Lock, and Russell Wilson — are all dealing with ailments that have hindered them either during practices or in a preseason game during the week of Aug. 5.
Here’s a closer look at what ailments each is enduring, including if one injury could spark a late free agent addition.
How Serious is Dak Prescott’s Injury?
Prescott is the most high-profile injured quarterback, which comes as he seeks his next contract amid questions about his Dallas Cowboys future.
The three-time Pro Bowler sustained some ankle soreness Thursday in Oxnard, Calif., according to Cowboys insider for The Athletic Jon Machota — who noticed Prescott wasn’t actively practicing for Friday’s camp session.
Dak Prescott has some ankle soreness. Cowboys say it’s completely precautionary https://t.co/TSifwKeDRl
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 9, 2024
Prescott’s injury came during a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams at River Ridge Golf Course, the site of Cowboys training camp. However, the Cowboys and Rams were involved in a “thud” practice, meaning tackling and taking down the QB were prohibited.
But did this injury force Prescott to wear a walking boot on the field? Prescott was seen on July 9 wearing a boot, but at the time, he told reporters nothing was wrong with his ankle, and he was wearing it to alleviate soreness.
Now, per longtime Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill, there was no sign of Prescott needing the foot support for the Friday camp session, which Prescott later called “precautionary.”
Dak Prescott confirmed to me it was precautionary. He is not wearing a boot. https://t.co/vM6KY0sJyA
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) August 9, 2024
Prescott delivered what was described by CBS Sports NFL reporter Garrett Podell as a “crisp” showing against the Rams’ first-team defense on Thursday — writing how the veteran QB “routinely zipped balls past the ear holes of Los Angeles defenders and into the arms of his intended targets all afternoon long, indicating he is ready to play ball for real.”
And for fans who wondered if Prescott would suit up against the Rams on Sunday at SoFi Stadium, Podell reminded them that the 31-year-old QB has never played in a preseason game with Mike McCarthy as his head coach — meaning Prescott is likely heading towards his fifth straight preseason without needing to line up behind center.
As for who will step in for Prescott ahead of Sunday, it remains to be seen if Cooper Rush or Trey Lance will start. But Cowboys VP Stephen Jones told Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News back on Aug. 1 that the latter quarterback “will get plenty of snaps in the preseason.”
Drew Lock Injury Leaves Giants With Major Roster Decision
Staying in the NFC East, Lock isn’t considered a starter for the New York Giants. However, Thursday night altered the QB room there.
Lock went down hard against the Detroit Lions late in the first quarter of the Giants’ Thursday evening preseason opener. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Lock suffered a bad bone contusion and strained oblique — leaving Giants head coach Brian Daboll to “potentially” look for another QB option.
#Giants QB Drew Lock is dealing with a bad bone contusion and strained oblique from last night’s preseason game, sources say. He’s expected to miss some time, but no surgery is required.
Coach Brian Daboll said NYG could potentially add another QB with Lock sidelined a bit. pic.twitter.com/SFP2krClc5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2024
The Giants were down to projected regular season QB1 Daniel Jones and last season’s fan favorite Tommy DeVito as the lone healthy options.
With Lock likely to miss some time, the franchise may now need to turn to available free agents like Ryan Tannehill, Trevor Siemian, Blaine Gabbert, Brian Hoyer, or AJ McCarron for the time being to fill depth. All five are considered the best QBs still available.
Russell Wilson Dealing With Lingering Calf Issue
The new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback had a rather slow start to Day 1 of training camp with his new team. He woke up with a strange calf strain, as described by head coach Mike Tomlin.
That injury prompted Tomlin and the Steelers to throw fellow new QB Justin Fields into the first team fire in front of their fans.
Wilson told team reporter Teresa Varley, “I’m feeling great” on Wednesday. Wilson added he’s going through all of the team drills with Pittsburgh. He even added how he wants to play in the preseason.
However, Tomlin shared Wednesday that the plan is to roll with Fields to start off against the defending AFC South champions at Acrisure Stadium.
Colts Reveal Preseason Plan for Anthony Richardson Following Shoulder Surgery
Lucky for the Colts, their incoming starter Anthony Richardson hasn’t dealt with any new injuries during 2024 camp. Yet, there were concerns among fans that the second-year QB was dealing with a lingering effect from his season-ending shoulder surgery in 2023.
Many wondered if head coach Shane Steichen would play it safe and keep Richardson away from preseason action. But according to Colts insider for The Athletic James Boyd, that’s not the case for Sunday’s opener against the Denver Broncos.
#Colts HC Shane Steichen says the starters will play in Sunday’s preseason opener against the #Broncos, including QB Anthony Richardson.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) August 9, 2024
How much action Richardson receives remains to be seen. But Colts fans will get to see the top-five pick of the 2023 draft back in action right away.
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