Offseason Injury Updates for NFL Quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Anthony Richardson, Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow, and Daniel Jones

April 16, 2024

Offseason injury updates for NFL quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Anthony Richardson, Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow, and Daniel Jones as of 4/16. Read the 2024 NFL fantasy football injury outlook.

Although the 2024 NFL season is roughly five months away, there's never a wrong time to keep up with the latest injury news, especially regarding key quarterbacks. The 2023 season was not kind to the quarterback position, so hopefully, the six players on this list can stay healthy after dealing with long-term ailments.

We have the latest offseason injury updates for Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Anthony Richardson, Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow, and Daniel Jones ahead of the 2024 season.

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Aaron Rodgers Injury Update

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Achilles), who is coming off a torn left Achilles suffered in the season opener in 2023, was present for Day 1 of the team's voluntary offseason workouts on Monday. Despite being 40 years old and coming off a pretty serious injury that knocked him out for all of last year, the future Hall of Famer is hoping to play multiple more seasons.

Aaron Rodgers arrives on Day 1 https://t.co/kkJ6P9twHw

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 15, 2024

Rodgers was able to return to practices late last season, so barring some sort of setback this offseason or in training camp this summer, he will be ready to go for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. He has plenty of weapons around him in New York's offense, but it's fair to wonder how an aging signal-caller will do coming off a lost season. At best, fantasy managers should treat him as a low-end QB1 injury risk in drafts this fall.

Kirk Cousins Injury Update

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) said his recovery from a torn right Achilles that he suffered on Oct. 29 (Week 8) has been progressing "up and to the right." He also said that he's "optimistic to be full speed at practice" before the team breaks for summer in June. It's quite the optimistic statement from the 35-year-old veteran, but even if he's not quite full-go at the end of the team's offseason program, Cousins should be able to take part in training camp at the end of July.

Kirk Cousins said his recovery from the season-ending Achilles rupture has been progressing "up and to the right."

Added he's "optimistic to be full speed at practice" before the team breaks for summer in a couple months.

— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) March 13, 2024

It's especially important since Cousins will be learning a new offense in Atlanta and trying to gel with his new receivers. The talent surrounding him shouldn't be a problem, as he'll have Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts to work with. Fantasy managers should be more considered about an aging QB coming off a serious injury.

Anthony Richardson Injury Update

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder), who played in parts of just four games in his rookie season in 2023 before having season-ending shoulder surgery for an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, is making roughly 40 throws per day in his recovery this offseason. He has thrown more than 200 passes in all just five months post-surgery.

The 21-year-old former fourth overall pick is on a mission to get ready for his sophomore season and should be fully ready for Week 1 this fall. "I've never waited this long to get back to playing football," Richardson said. "I'm just on a mission this year. Once that mission's complete, then I'll be good."

While Richardson has plenty to improve on as a passer, he has considerable QB1 upside in fantasy football because of his sure athletic ability and rushing prowess despite not having played a full season in the NFL. (ESPN)

Joe Burrow Injury Update

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) has been plagued by numerous injuries over the years. He suffered a season-ending knee injury as a rookie and was burdened by a calf strain early in the 2023-24 campaign. As a result, he struggled by throwing just two touchdowns in the first four games of the season. Unfortunately, despite turning things around, the signal-caller sustained a wrist injury in November and had another season end abruptly.

But Burrow is adamant he's doing everything he can to stay on the field this season. "I'm confident I've put all the work in I need to make sure I'm healthy," said Burrow while speaking to Geoff Hobson of the team's official site. "I'm continuing year-to-year to better hone that and make that more efficient."

The former LSU Tiger is anticipated to be cleared well before Week 1 but will continue to rehab in the immediate future. With that said, Burrow has the potential to be the top quarterback in the National Football League. Yet, his inability to stay healthy is something that will remain a significant concern for fantasy managers. (Bengals.com)

Deshaun Watson Injury Update

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) said that he'll be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season after having shoulder surgery last year. Watson also said recently that he's "in a great spot" and has "plenty of time to ramp up the throwing sessions" this offseason after having surgery on Nov. 21 to fix a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder. The 28-year-old probably won't do everything during offseason workouts this spring, but he should be ready to go in full this summer at training camp.

At his restaurant opening, #Browns Deshaun Watson said he’ll be ready Week 1 coming off shoulder surgery

— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) April 4, 2024

Watson has only played in 12 games over the last three seasons due to injury and suspension, but he remains the Browns starter under center and still has the talent to be a midrange QB1 with the weapons he has around him in Cleveland.

Daniel Jones Injury Update

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (knee), who is returning from a torn ACL that he suffered in 2023, told reporters on Monday that the plan is for him to be fully cleared for training camp this summer. Jones has not had any setbacks since undergoing surgery on Nov. 22 to fix his right ACL tear.

#Giants QB Daniel Jones, returning from a torn ACL, told reporters that the plan is for his to be fully cleared for training camp. Trending the right way...pic.twitter.com/j4r6WSVuWx

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 15, 2024

The 26-year-old also said the neck injury he dealt with last year before hurting his knee is in the rearview mirror. Even though the Giants are considering drafting another QB at the end of this month, they continue to say that Jones will be the unquestioned starter under center when he returns from his knee injury.

Although Jones had a career year in 2022, plenty of questions remain as to whether he can repeat that performance, especially now that running back Saquon Barkley is no longer in town. Consider him a low-upside QB2 with more question marks coming off a serious knee injury.

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