With a couple of weeks until the start of the regular season, there are injury question marks surrounding four quarterbacks. What is the latest injury update on those four QBs, and should fantasy football managers be concerned that any of them could miss time at the start of the regular season?
Justin Herbert Injury Update
After being diagnosed with a plantar fasciitis injury at the end of July, Justin Herbert returned to practice Monday. Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters that Herbert “looked great with a capital G” during 7-on-7 drills.
However, the Chargers did hold Herbert out of the 11-on-11 drills as he worked his way back through the team’s “gradual return to play” protocol.
The Chargers have the time to be careful, so don’t expect them to rush Herbert into action in the preseason or even over-extend him in practice at this point. The last thing Los Angeles needs is for Herbert to re-injure himself and miss time during the regular season.
This issue could extend into the season, as plantar fasciitis injuries can be hard to recover from.
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Herbert is currently being drafted as a QB2, which is exactly the right range with this injury. We could see him having to shake off some rust in the early weeks, and his movement could be hampered.
Nevertheless, Herbert should be capable of being exactly what we expect in 2024: a mid-level QB who will lack consistency due to a concern about the weapons around him.
Matthew Stafford Injury Update
Matthew Stafford returned to team drills at practice Tuesday as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. He had done individual drills on Monday, so it was good to see him take that next step.
It would be a surprise to see Stafford suit up in the preseason this week, but he does appear on course to be ready for Week 1.
A hamstring injury at 36 years old is a concern, but Stafford is not a player who relies heavily on mobility. He’s currently being drafted as the QB20, reflecting the fact that he doesn’t have the consistent upside he once did.
Latest on Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins
Two players that we haven’t seen in games this preseason are Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins. Both are returning from Achilles injuries, and since they are long-time NFL veterans, it’s no surprise that we haven’t seen them this preseason.
Even with Cousins being new to the system, there is no need to have them risk themselves on the field in meaningless action.
New York Giants head coach Robert Saleh confirmed in late July that Rodgers wouldn’t play in the first two preseason games. He did not confirm, however, whether we would see the veteran in the third game against the New York Giants.
At the time, Saleh told reporters that his instinct was to not play Rodgers, so there should be no concern about his recovery if he doesn’t end up playing.
As for Cousins, we already know we won’t see him this week. On Aug. 9, Raheem Morris told the media that Cousins is “full-go” and that he’s not worried about him.
Morris added that the team is “just trying to avoid any unnecessary trips or stumbles.” The veteran quarterback should be ready to play when Week 1 rolls around, and it appears Cousins won’t have any limitations.
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