What To Do With Injured Fantasy Football QBs: Kirk Cousins, Deshaun Watson, And More

How should fantasy football managers value injured QBs entering the 2024 season? Hayden Epinette analyzes QBs such as Kirk Cousins, Deshaun Watson, and more.

While quarterbacks are generally viewed as less important than running backs and receivers in fantasy football, getting consistent production at the position can be a big boost. Even with the added protections afforded to quarterbacks over the past decade, injuries are still rampant at the position. One unfortunate hit can change everything for the QB, their team... and their fantasy managers.

The quarterback position was particularly fraught with injuries a year ago. The 2023 regular season featured 66 different starting quarterbacks, tying the record set just a year prior. Changes under center have been common recently, so keeping up to date with injury news will continue to be essential.

How should fantasy managers approach injured quarterbacks during their fantasy drafts? Should players like Kirk Cousins and Deshaun Watson be considered or ignored? Let's take a look.

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Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

Kirk Cousins got off to a hot start fantasy-wise in 2023. Through Week 8, Cousins was averaging 291.4 passing yards and 2.3 passing touchdowns per game for the Minnesota Vikings. His production had him as the league's QB6, but disaster struck in that Week 8 game versus Green Bay when he tore his Achilles.

Cousins, who will be 36 years old when the regular season begins, will be returning from the most severe injury he has ever faced. Cousins inked a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. It was a move some questioned due to the veteran's age and ongoing recovery. Nonetheless, he is set to be Atlanta's prized passer moving forward. Moreover, Cousins is reportedly confident that he will be fully ready for training camp.

Kirk Cousins is an Atlanta Falcon, y’all pic.twitter.com/LF29vZ0lbM

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) March 14, 2024

With Cousins expected to be just fine ahead of Week 1, he should benefit from a quality group of weapons in Atlanta. Young wideout Drake London will have an opportunity to break out with the best quarterback he has had in the NFL. Tight end Kyle Pitts is in a similar boat, and offseason additions Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore should be capable as well. Running back Bijan Robinson will also be a great option out of the backfield. Cousins has the support to put up excellent passing numbers for fantasy managers.

The downsides should not be ignored, though. The Falcons are breaking in a new coaching staff featuring first-time OC Zac Robinson. Moreover, the team drafted QB Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in this year's draft. Cousins also lacks any rushing upside whatsoever, so his fantasy value will be dependent on his passing volume. With some regression likely, Cousins should not be considered a QB1; however, at his ADP of QB17, he is an interesting option.

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Over the past three seasons, Deshaun Watson has played just 12 games. His 2021 season was nonexistent as he both held out and faced accusations of sexual misconduct. In 2022, he was suspended for 11 games after the league investigated the accusations. Last year, he was finally ready to play in Week 1, but a series of shoulder injuries quickly limited him and eventually ended his season prematurely in November.

Watson's scapula fracture marked the conclusion of a very disappointing year. He passed for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns in six appearances, although he threw just five passes in a shortened Week 7 outing. Watson's 0.48 fantasy points per dropback matched his career low, and his 5.7 adjusted yards per attempt exceeded only his showing in his abbreviated 2022 campaign.

.@deshaunwatson was thrilled to get back in action with 7 on 7 pic.twitter.com/P9Ms7h7OPh

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 11, 2024

The Cleveland quarterback will be hoping to regain his footing in his third season with the Browns. Watson is reportedly ahead of schedule with his recovery, so he should be available for Week 1 for the second consecutive season. The Browns return key weapons Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, and David Njoku for Watson to connect with. The team also acquired former Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy via trade this offseason.

Watson has previously shown that he can produce at a high level. Indeed, he finished as a top-7 quarterback in fantasy points per dropback in each of his first four seasons since being drafted in 2017. His extended absence and departure from Houston have thus far proven impossible for him to overcome, though.

With an ADP of QB22, Watson does not face high expectations for 2024. Outside of deep or 2QB leagues, Watson should be avoided. For fantasy managers searching for a QB2 in 1QB formats, better options exist than a guy who has not played well since 2020. Although there is a chance he can reestablish himself with a bolstered group of receivers, skepticism is warranted.

Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets

After spending years dealing with subpar quarterback play, the Jets finally took a big swing and traded for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers last year. The Jets are evidently not allowed to have nice things, however, as Rodgers tore his Achilles early in the first quarter of the team's regular-season opener.

Despite making claims that he would be able to make an unprecedented return before the end of the season, Rodgers was never able to pull off the miracle. While he did get activated off IR in December, he saw his season end after just one pass attempt.

#Jets QB Aaron Rodgers does, in fact, have a torn Achilles, the MRI has confirmed. He’s out for the season after just four snaps. pic.twitter.com/Yt44roJvTs

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2023

Rodgers now faces the challenge of rebounding from the devastating injury to play at a high level in 2024. Rodgers, who will turn 41 in December, is expected to be fully ready for training camp. Third-year wideout Garrett Wilson will be an excellent target for Rodgers, and the team also signed receiver Mike Williams in free agency. Moreover, the Jets drafted WR Malachi Corley in the third round this year. The receiver room should be sufficient as Rodgers enters his first true season with the team.

The Jets also overhauled their offensive line, a unit that was atrocious a year ago. The front office selected tackle Olu Fashanu in the first round of the draft, and they picked up Tyron Smith and John Simpson in free agency. New York also traded for OT Morgan Moses. With Rodgers in the twilight of his career, his mobility is compromised; an improved offensive line will be crucial for his success.

Rodgers has had an ADP of the QB21, and he is a viable QB2 for fantasy managers who want or need one. Rodgers was the QB21 in fantasy points per game in 2022 when he was two years younger, though. Expectations should be tempered, but New York's offense should be conducive to him outperforming his ADP.

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had a difficult 2023 season. It began with him hampered by a July calf strain, which he reaggravated in Week 2. Burrow put forth a string of uncharacteristically poor performances before finding his stride in Week 5. From Week 5 through Week 10, he averaged 22.2 fantasy points per game, making him the QB4 during that time. Sadly, Burrow's season came to a close after he tore a ligament in his right wrist in Week 11.

Joe Burrow is out for the remainder of the season. pic.twitter.com/LycHe9JSSO

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 17, 2023

Hysteria spread online that Burrow's wrist suffered irreparable damage and that he would never be the same again. Fortunately, reports are that these rumors were unfounded. Burrow has looked great during offseason workouts, and he will be perfectly fine for the beginning of the season unless something changes.

The Bengals also still boast star receiver Ja'Marr Chase. After a tumultuous offseason, they also return a very good WR2 in Tee Higgins. Additionally, Cincinnati signed tight end Mike Gesicki and drafted former Alabama wideout Jermaine Burton in the third round this year. Burrow will have no shortage of options to throw to as he makes his comeback from an injury riddled campaign.

Burrow was the league's QB4 in fantasy points per game in 2022, and he was the QB10 by the same metric in 2021. There is little reason to doubt he can perform at a similar level again. With an ADP of QB7, Burrow is being drafted properly. Consider him a mid-QB1 and feel free to draft him with confidence ahead of 2024.

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