Quarterback injuries are forcing several NFL teams to turn to their backups in Week 9 of the 2026 season, with some making their first starts of the year and others stepping back into the starting lineup.
From Sam Darnold's quad injury in Seattle to Deshaun Watson entering concussion protocol in Cleveland, teams are navigating significant quarterback changes heading into this week's games.
Here's a look at the backup quarterbacks expected to start in NFL Week 9, the injuries behind those changes and what each replacement brings to the field.
Seattle Seahawks: Drew Lock Starting for Injured Sam Darnold (Quad)
The Seattle Seahawks will start Drew Lock in Week 9 after Sam Darnold suffered a quad injury during Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears.
Darnold finished the game, but head coach Mike Macdonald ruled him out Wednesday. Macdonald described the injury as week-to-week and said Darnold will not be placed on injured reserve.
Darnold previously missed the first two games of the season with a glute injury suffered in Week 1. Lock led Seattle to victories in both games, throwing four touchdowns without an interception and posting an 82.5 Total QBR, the sixth-best mark in the NFL over that stretch.
In Seattle's 31-7 Week 2 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, Lock completed 19 of 26 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns.
Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders in Line to Start for Deshaun Watson (Concussion)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is in line to start against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9 after Deshaun Watson entered the NFL's concussion protocol.
The Browns announced Wednesday that Watson reported concussion symptoms to the team's medical staff Tuesday morning. Watson took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker during the opening possession of Sunday's 27-6 loss to Pittsburgh and four plays while undergoing a concussion evaluation.
With Watson experiencing delayed symptoms, Pro Football Doc Dr. David Chao expects him to be ruled out for Week 9, which would put Sanders in position to start.
Sanders started seven games in 2025, posting a 3-4 record with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Philadelphia Eagles: Joe Milton Starting in Place of Jalen Hurts (Blood Clots)
The Philadelphia Eagles will start Joe Milton in Week 9, making another quarterback change after Jalen Hurts was sidelined by blood clots and Tanner McKee went 0-3 as his replacement.
Tanner McKee started the previous three games in Hurts' absence, but Philadelphia went 0-3. McKee completed 63.2% of his passes for 638 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions during that stretch.
Milton, a sixth-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2024, was traded to the Dallas Cowboys following his rookie season to serve as Dak Prescott's backup. Philadelphia signed him off Dallas' practice squad in October 2026.
In his NFL career, Milton has completed 37 of 53 passes for 424 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
New York Giants: J.J. McCarthy Starting for Injured Jaxson Dart (Knee)
The New York Giants will start J.J. McCarthy against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9 as Jaxson Dart remains sidelined with a season-ending knee injury.
Dart suffered damage to his MCL, PCL and meniscus that requires surgery, although his ACL remains intact.
The Giants initially turned to Jameis Winston, who started four games before McCarthy replaced him in the fourth quarter of their Week 6 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
McCarthy, acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings earlier this season, made his first start for New York in Week 7 and helped lead the Giants to a 27-21 overtime victory over the Houston Texans.
Through his first two appearances with New York, McCarthy has thrown for 495 yards with a 63.3% completion rate, one touchdown and one interception.
Baltimore Ravens: Joe Fagnano Starting for Injured Lamar Jackson (Thumb) and Tyler Huntley (Toe)
The Baltimore Ravens will start undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football in Week 9 after injuries sidelined Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley.
Jackson suffered a right thumb injury on his first pass against the Buffalo Bills in Week 8 and is set to undergo surgery. Head coach Jesse Minter said the injury could "potentially" end Jackson's season, although a return has not been ruled out.
Huntley suffered a turf toe injury in the second quarter against Buffalo and has since been ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season following further evaluation.
Fagnano replaced Huntley after both quarterbacks exited Sunday's game, completing 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards with one interception in his NFL debut.
