The 2023 NFL regular season has been nothing but dispirited week in and week out with an absolutely disgusting amount of significant injuries.
The league had been left staggered after the losses of Aaron Rodgers, Nick Chubb and Trevon Diggs through the first three weeks, but unfortunately the devastation didn’t end there.
Six star quarterbacks have been taken back to their locker rooms with significant injuries through week 13, leaving coaches, teammates and fans nothing but absolutely devastated.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts, shoulder
In week five, the Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson suffered an injury to his AC joint against the Tennessee Titans.
The Colts went into this game with a record of 2-2.
Richardson was the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of the University of Florida. Richardson was on track to have an exciting rookie year but ultimately ended early due to this injury.
Richardson was rushing on a 1st down in the second quarter before getting slammed to the ground by Harold Landry III.
Richardson landed directly on his right shoulder which was later ruled to be a third degree strain to his AC joint.
Richardson underwent successful surgery on October 25th and is expected to return for the 2024 season.
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings, torn achilles
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins tore his achilles against the Green Bay Packers in week eight.
The Vikings went into this matchup with a record of 4-4.
Cousins was rushing down the field during the fourth quarter on a 3rd & 19 before quickly going down in pain.
He jumped over to his bench on his left leg and was left screaming in pain. Those watching or on the sideline knew this was a sight they’ve seen before with Aaron Rodgers.
Cousins was ruled out for the season with a torn right achilles.
Cousins underwent successful surgery on November 1st and is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024 season.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns, shoulder
In the Browns week 10 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, quarterback Deshaun Watson went down with a scary shoulder injury.
Deshaun Watson was traded to the Browns last season, and was very hopeful to turn this organization around.
After a rushing play, Watson was tackled and smashed to the ground while also being collided with an opposing Ravens defender. He immediately was down on the ground in pain and was taken out of the game
It was later ruled that Watson fractured his shoulder and would need surgery to repair it.
Watson went under a successful surgery on November 15th and he is expected to return next season.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals, torn wrist ligament
In week 11, 4th year quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a torn ligament in his wrists against the Baltimore Ravens. Burrow signed a $275 million contract extension at the beginning of the season, making him the highest paid player in NFL history.
The Bengals went into this game with a record of 5-4.
Burrow suffered this non-contact injury near the midway point of the second quarter in the primetime match up, which left him saying that he “felt a pop” as he was walking to the bench.
Burrow was seen in aging pain after the play but Bengals personnel was hoping to have him back in quickly but was followed by repeated head shaking saying he can’t even throw the ball.
Burrow was later ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn wrist ligament.
Burrow underwent successful surgery on November 27th and is expected to make a full recovery for the 2024 season.
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers, high ankle sprain
The Pittsburgh Steelers took an embarrassing loss against the Arizona Cardinals in week 13 and lost their starting quarterback Kenny Pickett through it all.
Pickett entered his second season in the NFL with quite a bit of criticism. Pickett was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Pickett was rushing to the end zone from inside the Arizona ten yard line before being tackled from behind by Jonathan Ledbetter.
Pickett was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game with a high ankle sprain.
The quarterback underwent surgery in hopes to quicken the healing process on December 4th.
The surgery was successful and he is expected to miss about a month, with a hopeful return for the Steelers in the playoffs.
