NFL’s Week of the Backup QB Kicks Off: Sanders, Milton, Minshew, Lock and Wentz Start
Five backups take starting roles
The NFL enters Week 9 with five backup quarterbacks scheduled to start. The lineup includes Shedeur Sanders, Drew Lock, Carson Wentz, Gardner Minshew and Joe Milton. Three changes affect teams described as being in the thick of the playoff hunt. The other two involve Arizona and Philadelphia, which are below .500 and outside the playoff picture.
Playoff contenders make changes
Sanders is set to start for the Cleveland Browns, with Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol. Seattle is turning to Lock in place of Sam Darnold. Wentz will start for Minnesota while Kyler Murray is out. The article describes all three teams as pursuing playoff places.
Arizona and Philadelphia turn to backups
The Arizona Cardinals are starting Minshew, while the Philadelphia Eagles are giving Milton the job. Both teams are currently outside the playoff picture and have losing records. The cluster of changes underscores the importance of the quarterback role in the NFL. For some teams, the week could become a test of how well a backup can handle a starting assignment.
Key points
- Five backup quarterbacks are scheduled to start for NFL teams in Week 9.
- Sanders, Lock and Wentz are stepping in for starters on teams pursuing playoff spots.
- Minshew will start for Arizona, and Milton for Philadelphia; both teams are below .500.
- Watson is in concussion protocol, while Lock replaces Darnold and Wentz fills in for Murray.