The week of the backup QB in the NFL kicks off as Sanders, Milton, Minshew, Lock, and Wentz start

Five backup quarterbacks are starting for NFL teams in Week 9, including three teams still pursuing the playoffs: Cleveland, Seattle and Minnesota. Their performances matter because they could affect each player’s chances of keeping or earning a larger role while their regular starters are unavailable or have been replaced.

Shedeur Sanders starts for Cleveland, Drew Lock for Seattle and Carson Wentz for Minnesota; Gardner Minshew starts for Arizona and Joe Milton makes his first NFL start for Philadelphia. Lock threw for 235 yards and three touchdowns in his most recent start, while Wentz has five touchdown passes in 101 snaps this season, compared with Kyler Murray’s six in more than 300. Milton could get a longer opportunity after Jalen Hurts was placed on injured reserve; the other teams have not all indicated whether their changes will last beyond this game.