NFL QB injuries: A look at all 16 starters who've been sidelined in 2023, with Justin Herbert now joining them

Fifty-four different quarterbacks have started so far this season

By Shanna McCarriston

Dec 12, 2023 at 1:46 pm ET • 1 min read

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This year is all about backup quarterbacks in the NFL. With so many starters injured, the second-string quarterbacks, and sometimes even the third-stringers are needing to step up when their name is called, which is happening quite often.

The latest starters to go down are the Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud and Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert, who both exited games on Sunday with injuries and did not return.

Stroud left with a head injury and was put into the league's concussion protocol. Texans backup Davis Mills came in and could start next week if Stroud does not clear protocol.

Herbert fractured his finger and was replaced by backup Easton Stick. On Tuesday, CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones reported that Herbert's season is over and he will undergo surgery on his right index finger.

This season, 54 different starting quarterbacks have played, just below the record (excluding strike seasons) set last year of 68. Of the 32 teams in the league, 16 have used multiple starting quarterbacks.

In total, there have been 38 starting quarterback changes. The Cleveland Browns lead the pack with seven starting quarterback changes and with four different starting quarterbacks this season.

All four starters, Deshaun Watson, P.J. Walker Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Joe Flacco, have won at least one game.

Here is a look at all the starting quarterbacks to miss games due to injury this season (along with how many games they missed):

Quarterback	Team	Injury	Number of games missed
Aaron Rodgers	Jets	Achilles	16*
Anthony Richardson	Colts	Shoulder	13*
Deshaun Watson	Browns	Shoulder	11*
Daniel Jones	Giants	Knee	11*
Kirk Cousins	Vikings	Achilles	9*
Kyler Murray	Cardinals	ACL	9
Joe Burrow	Bengals	Wrist	7*
Justin Fields	Cardinals	Thumb	4
Ryan Tannehill	Titans	Ankle	2
Jimmy Garoppolo	Raiders	Back	2
Kenny Pickett	Steelers	Ankle	2 (ruled out for Week 15)
Bryce Young	Panthers	Ankle	1
Matthew Stafford	Rams	Thumb	1
Geno Smith	Seahawks	Groin	1
Justin Herbert	Chargers	Finger	4*
C.J. Stroud	Texans	Concussion	Could miss game(s)