Brandon Weeden Injury: Updates on Cowboys QB's Possible Concussion and Return

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden left Sunday’s preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers with a head injury. Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News noted that Weeden left the field and was "being evaluated for a concussion after he was hit in the head" while being sacked.

Continue for updates.

---

Dustin Vaughan Replaces Weeden

Sunday, Aug. 23

Weeden was forced out of the game after he was sacked by Eli Harold and Quinton Dial in the second quarter. Quarterback Dustin Vaughan replaced the former Oklahoma State Cowboy and struggled during his playing time. 

Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted that Dallas had more to worry about than Vaughan’s poor play:

Weeden only appeared in five games last season and threw for 303 yards, but he is an important insurance policy behind entrenched starter Tony Romo. Romo has been plagued by back and rib injuries in the past, so the Cowboys need Weeden to remain healthy this season in case he is called upon in spot duty.

Weeden’s injury also put more importance on the play of Vaughan and Jameill Showers, who are fighting for a spot on the depth chart.

Vaughan threw for 106 yards in the team’s first preseason contest, but he also tallied multiple interceptions in relief of Weeden Sunday. Showers had not appeared at quarterback in Sunday’s game by the start of the third quarter, but he threw for 40 yards and added 18 rushing yards in Dallas’ first preseason contest.

Showers did see action at special teams, which gives him a versatility advantage over Vaughan.

As for Weeden, he is the only quarterback with extensive experience (28 games) competing for a spot on the Dallas roster outside of Romo. The Cowboys have Super Bowl aspirations this season, but those will quickly fade if Romo is significantly hurt at any time, unless Weeden is healthy and ready to prove himself as a capable backup.