Following a wild Week 1, the unstoppable machine that is the NFL charges forward into its Week 2 schedule. Predictably, health concerns represent a major storyline this week, keeping with the usual trends of the league.
Regrettably, the first week of the season delivered a significant number of setbacks. Kyler Murray’s initial game for the Vikings was truncated by a first-quarter concussion; the Chargers lost dynamic wideout Ladd McConkey during their unexpected defeat to the Cardinals, while Sam Darnold is battling a soft tissue ailment that cut his season debut short and has ruled him out for the upcoming game.
Furthermore, several players were placed on injured reserve, including Patriots receiver A.J. Brown (ankle), Eagles left guard Landon Dickerson (knee), and Rams defensive end Myles Garrett (knee).
Consequently, there is plenty of medical news to digest as rosters return to the practice field on Wednesday to provide initial status updates. In the sections below, we analyze the opening injury disclosures for every team, alongside the finalized designations for Thursday’s matchup featuring the Lions and Bills.
Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills
- Thursday, 8:15 p.m. (Stream: Amazon)
Lions game statuses: OG Christian Mahogany (hip), OT Blake Miller (knee) OUT; CB D.J. Reed (foot) QUESTIONABLE
Bills game statuses: S Cole Bishop (knee/groin), RB TY Johnson (hamstring), DL T.J. Sanders (knee/illness) QUESTIONABLE
Detroit’s roster status ahead of Thursday’s matchup raised alarms, as starting offensive lineman Blake Miller (knee) and left guard Christian Mahogany (hip) are set to miss the game. Additionally, experienced secondary defender D.J. Reed remains a game-time decision due to a foot issue, having only logged limited practice sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Buffalo’s side, safety Cole Bishop (knee/groin), ball-carrier Ty Johnson (hamstring), and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders (knee/illness) are all designated as questionable for Thursday’s clash. This trio participated in a limited capacity during Wednesday’s practice.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
- Sunday, 1 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)
Carolina defender Patrick Jones II, sidelined last week with back trouble, was absent from Wednesday’s workout, alongside tackle Bobby Brown III. Rookie wideout Jalen Coker, fresh off an impressive performance of eight receptions for 138 yards and two scores, was limited by an ankle issue. Despite using a walking boot earlier, he remains hopeful to suit up this weekend.
For the Falcons, signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa (oblique), defensive back A.J. Terrell (shoulder), and lineman Chris Lindstrom (concussion) were non-participants on Wednesday. Meanwhile, backup quarterbacks Cooper Rush (back) and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) completed full practices. There is speculation that Penix might make his return this Sunday.
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
- Sunday, 1 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)
Minnesota’s Jauan Jennings (personal) was the lone absentee from Wednesday’s session. Meanwhile, linebacker Blake Cashman (wrist), quarterback Kyler Murray (concussion), tackle Brian O’Neill (knee), and edge defender Andrew Van Ginkel (chest) were all restricted during drills.
As for Chicago, tackle Darnell Wright (knee) and defender Neville Gallimore (illness) did not take the field Wednesday. A number of Bears were limited, including ball-carriers Kyle Monangai (hamstring) and D’Andre Swift (ankle/knee), defensive back Malik Muhammad (ankle), pass rusher Dayo Odeyingbo (shoulder), blocker Ozzy Trapilo (knee), and safety Xavier Woods (groin).
Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans
- Sunday, 1 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)
Philadelphia’s elite interior lineman Jalen Carter (wrist) and cornerback Cooper DeJean (calf/abdomen) skipped Wednesday’s session, while defensive end Jonathan Greenard was restricted due to a pectoral strain.
In Tennessee, starting linebacker Cedric Gray returned to full action on Wednesday after completing the league’s concussion protocol, which kept him out of the first game. Conversely, linebacker James Williams was limited because of an elbow problem.
Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots
Pittsburgh tackle Troy Fautanu (ankle) and tight end Darnell Washington (personal) sat out Wednesday’s practice. Receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. were limited in their activities. Porter’s situation is unique, as his status is listed as non-injury with a “conditioning” label. Although a back injury sidelined him last week, he is well-known to be pursuing a new deal.
New England was without tackle Dametrious Crownover (knee) and defensive back Carlton Davis III (neck) on Wednesday. Limited participants included center Ben Brown (knee), edge defender Dre’Mont Jones (foot), and linebacker Robert Spillane (knee).
Green Bay Packers at New York Jets
- Sunday, 1 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)
Green Bay lineman Warren Brinson missed Wednesday’s work because of a calf strain. Those with limited participation included blocker Zach Bako-Bewele (knee), guard Aaron Banks (knee), interior defender Javon Hargrave (knee/concussion), linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (Achilles), edge defender Barryn Sorrell (foot), pass rusher Lukas Van Ness (concussion), and tackle Devonte Wyatt (ankle).
For New York, first-year receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle), defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin), ball-carrier Kene Nwangwu (back), and edge rusher Joseph Ossai (foot) were sidelined on Wednesday. Linebacker Jamien Sherwood (knee) and defensive back D’Angelo Ponds (calf) were limited.
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cleveland guard Teven Jenkins continues to be out of action with a back issue. Meanwhile, center Parker Brailsford (thumb), defender Maliek Collins (quad), blocker Elgton Jenkins (back), and tackle Dawand Jones (head) participated in limited fashion on Wednesday.
Tampa Bay defensive back Miles Killebrew (concussion) and cornerback Jacob Parrish (back) had limited practice sessions on Wednesday. Conversely, receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) and ball-carrier Sean Tucker (hamstring) completed full workouts.
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens
New Orleans was without tight end Juwan Johnson (illness) and linebacker Isaiah Stalbird (shoulder) on Wednesday. Lineman Cameron Jordan and rookie tight end Oscar Delp were both restricted due to hamstring issues.
Baltimore had a lengthy injury report on Wednesday. Sitting out of drills were wideout Zay Flowers (hamstring), pass rusher Trey Hendrickson (finger), blocker John Simpson (groin), tackle Ronnie Stanley (toe), and defensive back T.J. Tampa (knee). Those restricted during practice were linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee), safety Keondre Jackson (shoulder), and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck).
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans
Cincinnati signal-caller Joe Burrow did not complete a full workload due to a back issue, though he indicated to media members that he expects to start against Houston. Edge defender Shemar Stewart fully practiced despite a knee problem.
Houston was missing edge defender Jadeveon Clowney (knee) and linebacker Jake Hummel (groin) on Wednesday, and wideout Nico Collins was restricted with a hamstring injury.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos
Jacksonville had several players limited on Wednesday: ball-carrier LeQuint Allen Jr. (hip), wideout Jakobi Meyers (thumb), linebacker Foye Oluokun (wrist), receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder), and blocker Cole Van Lanen (knee).
As for Denver, running back RJ Harvey (hamstring) and receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (foot) both missed Wednesday’s session.
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
For Las Vegas, tight end Brock Bowers (knee) and cornerback Darien Porter (foot) sat out Wednesday’s drills. Runner Ashton Jeanty, despite an ankle designation, was able to practice in full.
Los Angeles saw receiver Ladd McConkey (rib), defensive back Elijah Molden (hamstring), blocker Trey Pipkins (knee), and tackle Teair Tart (ankle) miss the Wednesday session. Cornerback Deane Leonard (abdomen) and defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring) were restricted.
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys
- Sunday, 4:25 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)
Washington linebacker Frankie Luvu (groin) and tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) were sidelined on Wednesday, while edge defenders Dorance Armstrong (knee), K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), Charles Omenihu (ankle), and Odafe Oweh (calf) were restricted. Additionally, lineman Daron Payne (knee) and receiver Jaylin Lane (groin) were limited.
For Dallas, safety Malik Hooker (forearm) and defender DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday, while pass rusher James Houston was limited by a shoulder problem.
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
- Sunday, 4:25 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)
Seattle signal-caller Sam Darnold (glute) remains out of practice. He is projected to sit out for about a month, though he won’t be put on IR. Defensive back Ty Okada (hamstring) also missed the session. Meanwhile, guard Anthony Bradford (knee), defender Nick Emmanwori (ankle/hip), blocker Josh Jones (knee), and receiver Cooper Kupp (back) did limited work.
For Arizona, lineman Isaac Seumalo was sidelined due to a shoulder injury. Limited participants included blocker Isaiah Adams (knee), defender Jack Gibbens (shoulder), tackle Roy Lopez (groin), cornerback Max Melton (ankle), linebacker Cody Simon (shoulder), safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ribs), and corner Garrett Williams (Achilles). On a positive note, rookie ball-carrier Jeremiyah Love avoided the report entirely.
Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers
- Sunday, 4:25 p.m. (Fox, Stream: Fubo, try for free)
Defensive player Ronnie Harrison (hamstring) was the only Miami team member sidelined on Wednesday. Pass rusher Chop Robinson (concussion) and tight end Seydou Traore (thumb/Achilles) practiced in a limited capacity. Quarterback Malik Willis was on the report due to a toe issue, but worked as a full participant.
For San Francisco, kicker Eddy Pineiro was the sole player sitting out Wednesday strictly for medical reasons, sidelined with an illness. Restricted participants included lineman Keion White (back), tight end George Kittle (Achilles), tackle Khalid Kareem (shoulder), and fullback Kyle Juszczyk (finger).
Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs
- Sunday, 8:20 p.m. (NBC, Stream: Fubo, try for free)
Indianapolis wideout Ashton Dulin (ankle) and quarterback Anthony Richardson (groin) were out of action on Wednesday, and linebacker Austin Ajiake was limited due to a hamstring strain.
Kansas City safety Chamarri Conner (knee) and tackle Josh Simmons (back) sat out Wednesday’s drills, and defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf) was a limited participant.
