Five Backup QBs Start in NFL Week 9 as 3 Playoff Hopefuls Turn to Replacements
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 8
Five Backup QBs Start in NFL Week 9 as 3 Playoff Hopefuls Turn to Replacements
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 8
Summary
Five backup quarterbacks are set to start in NFL Week 9, with Cleveland, Seattle and Minnesota all turning to replacements despite being in the playoff hunt.
Injuries and lineup changes drove the shuffle: Shedeur Sanders replaces Deshaun Watson, Drew Lock fills in for Sam Darnold, Carson Wentz starts for Kyler Murray, Joe Milton takes over after Tanner McKee was benched, and Gardner Minshew keeps Arizona's job.
Wentz carries the biggest upside case after throwing 5 touchdown passes in 101 snaps this season, while Murray has managed 6 scores in more than 300 snaps.
Minshew earned a longer runway by throwing 3 touchdown passes in relief last week, prompting Arizona to make him the starter and trade Jacoby Brissett to Baltimore.
Milton's first NFL start comes with Philadelphia below .500 after three straight losses, underscoring how a quarterback-driven league has turned into a backup-quarterback week.