Key quarterback injuries have reshaped the top of the NFL just 2 weeks into the 2019 season

Injury: Drew Brees was knocked out of the Saints Week 2 matchup against the Rams after defensive tackle Aaron Donald smacked his throwing hand while attempting to block a pass. He'll have surgery and is estimated to be around six weeks away from game action.

Backup status: Teddy Bridgewater got under center for the Saints in Brees' absence. While he has experience as a starter, Bridgewater wasn't able to move the ball much against the Saints stout defense. Taysom Hill will likely also get in a few plays at quarterback to provide some variety in the Saints gameplan, but he's also proved a valuable pass-catcher so far this season.

What it means for the team: The Saints were considered one of the favorites to represent the NFC heading into the 2019 season. Should Brees' recovery go smoothly, they could still be in the running for a playoff spot once he returns. New Orleans will have to weather quite a storm until their starting quarterback is back in action, with games against the Seahawks, Cowboys, and Bears set for the coming weeks.

Injury: Nick Foles suffered a broken left collarbone in his Week 1 debut with the Jacksonville Jaguars just moments after throwing his first touchdown as the team's starter. He underwent surgery and was placed on the team's injured reserve list, and will be eligible to return in Week 11 should he be fully recovered.

Backup status: Rookie Gardner Minshew took over quarterbacking duties after Foles' injury and impressed in his debut, completing 22 of 25 passes thrown in the Jaguars Week 1 loss to the Chiefs. He put the team in position to win in Week 2, but a failed two-point conversion sunk Jacksonville to 0-2 to start the year.

What it means for the team: Minshew has outplayed expectations through two starts with the team. However, the Jaguars will need to put together something special if they're going to bounce back from an 0-2 start and still be in a position to contend once Foles returns.

Injury: Sam Darnold is out for a few weeks dealing with a case of mononucleosis, and is hoping to be back by Week 5 when the Jets travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles.

Backup status: Trevor Siemian was Sam Darnold's replacement to start the team's Week 2 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, but suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the first half of the game. Rookie Luke Falk stepped in under center but was unable to mount a comeback in the second half as the team dropped to 0-2 on the season.

What it means for the team: The Jets are likely thankful that they have an early bye week this season, as Darnold is only expected to miss one more game before making his return. This Sunday's trip to New England to play the Patriots likely won't be pretty, and coming back from 0-3 to make the postseason is undoubtedly a tall order. However, the Jets will at least have their starter running the show.

Around the league, there are plenty of teams dealing with quarterback questions regarding health, stamina, and age.

Cam Newton has missed two days of practice and is likely to miss his next start with the Panthers. Carson Wentz had to leave the Eagles' game against the Saints for a few snaps on Sunday night after taking a tough shot to the ribs. Tom Brady has been limited in practice over the past week.

Meanwhile, the Giants have decided to elevate rookie Daniel Jones to the starting job after another lackluster start from Eli Manning. And who could forget this season starting with the shocking retirement of Andrew Luck?

All told, roughly a quarter of the league is dealing with questions at the quarterback position, and how they respond will either make or break their season.

As things stand, the injuries leave the power balance of both conferences is relative disarray compared to where we were at the start of the year.

In the NFC, the teams making up an already crowded playoff picture are likely breathing something of a sigh of relief that the Saints might fall short of a postseason spot this year.

Meanwhile, the Patriots and the Chiefs still look like the premier teams in the AFC, with a possible challenge coming from the Baltimore Ravens.

But the Jaguars' and Steelers' statuses as potential contenders heading into the season have taken a sharp turn for the worse, leaving a rematch of last year's AFC Championship feeling all but inevitable.

We won't know the full effects of these injuries until the season has played out in full, but heading into Week 3, it's clear that the fortunes of many teams across the league have shifted.

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