Quarterback injuries have a way of rattling the card market, and right now they’re also creating a few chances for collectors to make a move. The idea that young quarterbacks are best bought before the season isn’t exactly new, but the early returns have been messy.
Some guys are dealing with poor play. Others are hurt.
And that matters, because an injured quarterback can sometimes present a better buying window than one whose market has already been beaten down by on-field struggles.
That’s not the case with Justin Herbert. His market has already been hit hard enough that selling now may not make much sense, but I’d still pass on buying. With the Chargers’ schedule about to get tougher, there isn’t enough there to make that feel appealing.
The injured quarterbacks, though, are a different story.
Jaxson Dart is out for the year, and his market is already down about 6%. It likely has more room to fall.
The better play there is to hold for now. Dart still has future upside, but the smart move is patience.
Let the market settle before making a long-term decision.
Caleb Williams is trickier. His injury timeline now sounds like it could stretch another two weeks or so, and he’s already been ruled out for Week 5.
That makes this a spot where buying still feels a little early. I’d wait until after this week.
Still, if there’s something you really want and it’s available now, there’s a case to act. Williams and the Bears should have a strong season, and Ben Johnson’s stated desire to be the highest-scoring team in NFL history, while unlikely, points to one thing: Williams is going to pile up stats.
And those stats should, in theory, translate into wins, which would send his hobby market back up.
Jayden Daniels is the buy right now. There are real concerns about Washington’s offensive line and the talent around him, but we already saw what Daniels can do before the injury.
He can create magic and carry the team, even if he shouldn’t have to do it all himself. His market has been rebounding over the last week, so the window may already be narrowing.
He could possibly return this weekend, and a matchup against the Giants is a reasonable spot for that comeback.
In Other News...
Giants Just Got A Tougher NFC East Problem To Prepare For
A rough afternoon in London left Washington with more than just a loss to the Colts. Starting quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow in Week 5, and the injury immediately changed the conversation around the Commanders offense after Marcus Mariota had already gone down and third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis was forced into action.
Dan Quinn said Daniels is on track to potentially return as soon as next week against the Giants, a development that would give Washington a much different look than it had overseas. For New York, it means preparing for a division opponent that may not be scrambling at quarterback for long, even if the recovery timeline still has to play out. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Week 5 Injury Problem Fans Can't Ignore
The injury picture around Washington has shifted quickly enough to become a real Week 5 storyline, and it reaches across both sides of the ball. The Commanders are trying to manage hamstring strains for Stefon Diggs and Terry McLaurin, while Charles Omenihu is working through groin and ankle issues and Marcus Mariota is dealing with a sprained MCL. Jayden Daniels is still expected to start despite his own dislocated elbow, which gives the quarterback room at least some clarity even as the rest of the roster gets more complicated.
Nick Cross adds another layer after his illness and hospitalization, and the list of limited or sidelined players keeps the pressure on Washingtons depth. For a team already balancing injuries at receiver, along the defensive front and behind center, the concern is less about any one name than the cumulative effect on how the Commanders can actually function this week. The next update on availability may say plenty about how much margin this group still has left. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Face A QB Decision They Can't Ignore
Washingtons quarterback room got another look this week after the team brought in Jack Plummer for a workout following Marcus Mariotas injury. For now, though, the Commanders are not planning to add him, a sign they believe Mariotas absence will be short enough to avoid an injured reserve move. With Jayden Daniels also expected back soon from an elbow injury, the position remains in a holding pattern while the staff waits to see how the health of the room settles.
Dan Quinn has stayed upbeat through a stretch that has featured multiple injuries around the roster, and this latest quarterback wrinkle fits the same uneasy theme. The Commanders do not appear ready to make a roster move at the position yet, but they are clearly keeping options open as they navigate a week-to-week situation that could shift quickly depending on Mariota and Daniels. [Read more 🡒]