🏥 Injury Impact

How missing key players changes everything about a game plan

🏈

Quarterback

The single most impactful injury in team sports.

Season Impact Rating
10/10

Losing a starter QB typically drops a team's win probability by 20–30% over the season. The backup QB effect is so severe that teams with injured starting QBs win at a ~35% rate vs ~52% for teams with healthy starters.

📺 Real Examples

49ers 2023Brock Purdy

Elbow tear in NFC title game — backup McCaffrey literally ran a QB sneak. Game over.

Dolphins 2019Ryan Fitzpatrick

Josh Rosen started after Fitzpatrick injury — team went from competitive to 5-11.

Raiders 2022Derek Carr

Backup Jarrett Stidham cost team 3 games & playoff spot.

🧠 How Teams Adapt

  • ▸Full offensive scheme overhaul
  • ▸More run-heavy with simpler passes
  • ▸Shorter routes, quicker releases
  • ▸Reduced motion pre-snap