This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 8 AM ET on Sunday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
After an action-packed Week 1, we're set for a big Week 2 that unsurprisingly has a notably larger injury report than that of the season's opening slate of games. However, the majority of concerns are found within the wide receiver position, as key Fantasy players at quarterback, running back and tight end are all healthy for the most part. There are a couple of big names already ruled out, however, so without further ado, let's dive into the health outlook as of early Sunday morning:
QUARTERBACKS
The Texans' Deshaun Watson (coach's decision) will be inactive again for Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Browns. Tyrod Taylor will start against Cleveland after racking up 290 yards and two touchdowns while adding 40 rushing yards in a Week 1 win over the Jaguars.
The Raiders' Marcus Mariota (quadriceps) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, sidelining him for at least the next three games. Nathan Peterman, who has nine games of NFL experience over his first three seasons, will serve as Derek Carr's backup beginning with Sunday's Week 2 contest versus the Steelers.
RUNNING BACKS
The Raiders' Josh Jacobs (toe) will not play in Sunday's AFC clash against the Steelers after missing practice all week. In his absence, offseason signee Kenyan Drake,
This column is meant to offer our best predictions on what players will/will not play, as of 8 AM ET on Sunday. For the official active/inactive reports, please see our Latest NFL Player News.
After an action-packed Week 1, we're set for a big Week 2 that unsurprisingly has a notably larger injury report than that of the season's opening slate of games. However, the majority of concerns are found within the wide receiver position, as key Fantasy players at quarterback, running back and tight end are all healthy for the most part. There are a couple of big names already ruled out, however, so without further ado, let's dive into the health outlook as of early Sunday morning:
QUARTERBACKS
The Texans' Deshaun Watson (coach's decision) will be inactive again for Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Browns. Tyrod Taylor will start against Cleveland after racking up 290 yards and two touchdowns while adding 40 rushing yards in a Week 1 win over the Jaguars.
The Raiders' Marcus Mariota (quadriceps) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, sidelining him for at least the next three games. Nathan Peterman, who has nine games of NFL experience over his first three seasons, will serve as Derek Carr's backup beginning with Sunday's Week 2 contest versus the Steelers.
RUNNING BACKS
The Raiders' Josh Jacobs (toe) will not play in Sunday's AFC clash against the Steelers after missing practice all week. In his absence, offseason signee Kenyan Drake, who handled six carries and five targets in Week 1 versus the Ravens, will step into the lead-back role, while Peyton Barber and undrafted rookie Trey Ragas will serve as complementary options.
The Lions' D'Andre Swift (groin) is questionable for Monday night's NFC North clash against the Packers but managed to finish the week with a full practice Saturday. It appears Swift is trending toward suiting up, and Saturday beat writer reports confirm that likelihood as well. Were Swift to suffer a setback before the final kickoff of the Week 2 slate, Jamaal Williams would step into a much bigger role against his old Green Bay teammates.
The Seahawks' Rashaad Penny (calf) is doubtful for Sunday's interconference clash against the Titans after missing practice all week. The oft-injured Penny's likely absence would lead to Alex Collins and potentially DeeJay Dallas logging extra carries behind Chris Carson.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The Browns' Odell Beckham (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 2 battle against the Texans. Jarvis Landry and Donovan Peoples-Jones should fill the starting wideout roles once again for Cleveland, with Rashard Higgins and speedy rookie Anthony Schwartz (questionable-knee) set to serve in the No. 3 and No. 4 roles behind them.
The Dolphins' Will Fuller (personal) will not play in Sunday's Week 2 clash against the Bills. DeVante Parker, rookie Jaylen Waddle and Jakeem Grant are slated to once again serve as Miami's top three wideouts for the divisional matchup.
The Ravens' Marquise Brown is questionable for Sunday night's showdown with the Chiefs but did manage to return to practice Friday after missing the first two sessions of the week. If Brown, who turned in a 6-69-1 line in the opener, were to sit out, fellow wideout Sammy Watkins and tight end Mark Andrews would be slated to see bigger passing game roles, while second-year man Devin Duvernay (groin) would also bump up to No. 2 wideout duties if he was able to suit up.
The Cowboys' Michael Gallup (calf) was placed on injured reserve Monday, sidelining him for at least the next three games. Cedrick Wilson should bump up a notch on the depth chart beginning with Sunday's matchup against the Chargers, while top duo Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb should see an increase in targets to some degree.
The Colts' Parris Campbell (abdomen) is questionable for Sunday's interconference battle against the Rams after popping up on the injury report Friday. If Campbell were to be sidelined, the likes of Michael Pittman (questionable-ankle), Zach Pascal and Mike Strachan would be potential beneficiaries to varying degree.
The Colts' Michael Pittman (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's matchup versus the Rams after turning a limited practice Friday. If Pittman were to sit out, Parris Campbell (questionable-abdomen), Zach Pascal and Mike Strachan would be potential beneficiaries to varying degree.
The Lions' Tyrell Williams (concussion) will not play in Monday night's game versus the Packers, leaving Kalif Raymond (questionable-thigh), Amon-Ra St. Brown and Quintez Cephus in position to serve as the top three wideouts for Jared Goff.
The Bears' Marquise Goodwin (quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Bengals despite practicing in full all week. If Goodwin were to sit out, Damiere Byrd would step into the No. 3 wideout role.
The Jets' Jamison Crowder (groin) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots and projects to be a game-time decision. If Crowder were to miss a second straight game, Keelan Cole (questionable-knee), rookie second-round pick Elijah Moore and Braxton Berrios could all benefit to varying degree, while No. 1 wideout Corey Davis would also potentially be in line for an even bigger role than usual.
The Jets' Keelan Cole (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, and his availability, or lack thereof, is expected to come down to how he performs in pregame warmups. If Cole were to sit out, rookie Elijah Moore and Braxton Berrios could enjoy a bump in opportunity.
The Bears' Darnell Mooney (back) is questionable for Sunday's Week 2 interconference battle against the Bengals but was able to practice all week. If Mooney were to unexpectedly suffer a setback, Marquise Goodwin (questionable-quadriceps), Damiere Byrd and Breshad Perriman could all benefit behind top wideout Allen Robinson.
The Bills' Gabriel Davis (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, but as per late-week reports, the second-year speedster is expected to play and fill his usual No. 4 role versus Miami.
The Dolphins' Preston Williams (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Bills but sandwiched a pair of limited practices around a full session this week. Albert Wilson may see a slight bump in workload if Williams misses, but Devante Parker, Jaylen Waddle and Jakeem Grant are once again expected to serve as the top three wideouts versus the Patriots with Will Fuller (personal) unavailable.
The Browns' Anthony Schwartz (knee) is questionable for Sunday's contest versus the Texans after practicing in limited fashion all week. If Schwartz is able to suit up, he'd have a chance at potentially rotating into some No. 3 wideout reps with Rashard Higgins.
TIGHT ENDS
The Texans' Pharaoh Brown (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, but he managed to work back to a limited practice Friday after missing the first sessions of the week. If Brown were to sit out, Jordan Akins would assume starting tight end duties.
The Titans' Anthony Firkser (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Seahawks, and he failed to practice Friday after participating in limited fashion over the first two sessions of the week. If Firsker sits out, Geoff Swaim and MyCole Pruitt would handle the bulk of reps at tight end.
The Patriots' Jonnu Smith (hip) is questionable for Sunday's AFC East game versus the Jets but practiced in limited fashion the last two days of the week. If Smith were unavailable Sunday, Hunter Henry would handle a bigger share of the workload at tight end versus New York.
KICKERS
The Patriots' Quinn Nordin (abdomen) is out for Sunday's game against the Jets. Nick Folk, who handled placekicking duties in Week 1, will continue in that capacity for the foreseeable future.
KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Cornerbacks
The Jaguars' Tre Herndon (knee) will not play in Sunday's contest against the Broncos.
The Buccaneers' Carlton Davis (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's divisional game against the Falcons.
The Steelers' Joe Haden (groin) is questionable for Sunday's contest against the Raiders.
The Chargers' Chris Harris (shoulder) will not play in Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
The Ravens' Marlon Humphrey (back) is questionable for Sunday night's showdown with the Chiefs.
The Saints' Marshon Lattimore (hand) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers but finished the week with two limited practices.
The 49ers' Emmanuel Moseley (knee) is doubtful to suit up for Sunday's Week 2 battle against the Eagles.
The Colts' Xavier Rhodes (calf) will not play in Sunday's contest against the Rams.
The Ravens' Jimmy Smith (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday night's clash with the Chiefs.
Safeties
The Chargers' Nasir Adderley (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
The Cowboys' Damontae Kazee (thigh) is questionable for Sunday's interconference matchup against the Chargers.
The Seahawks' D.J. Reed (calf) is questionable for Sunday's interconference game against the Titans.
The Packers' Darnell Savage (shoulder) is questionable for Monday night's game versus the Lions.
The Cowboys' Donovan Wilson (groin) is out for Sunday's road matchup against the Chargers.
The Colts' Khari Willis (illness) is questionable for Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Rams.
The Eagles' Rodney McLeod (knee) will not play in Sunday's Week 2 conference matchup against the 49ers.
Defensive Linemen
The Cowboys' DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) was placed on injured reserve Thursday and he's expected to be sidelined for the next 6-to-8 weeks.
The Colts' Kwity Paye (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Rams.
Linebackers
The Vikings' Anthony Barr (knee) will not play in Sunday's conference battle versus the Cardinals.
The Titans' Jayon Brown (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks after missing practice Friday.
The Steelers' Devin Bush (groin) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Raiders.
The Broncos' Bradley Chubb (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's contest versus the Jaguars.
The Titans' Bud Dupree (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Seahawks but finished the week with two full practices.
The Lions' Trey Flowers (shoulder) is questionable for Monday night's game versus the Packers.
The 49ers' Dre Greenlaw (groin) was placed on injured reserve Saturday and is expected to miss at least a month.
The Vikings' Eric Kendricks (quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals but managed to wrap up the week with a full practice Friday.
The Raiders' Nick Kwiatkoski (concussion) will not play in Sunday's game versus the Steelers.
The Packers' Za'Darius Smith (back) was placed on injured reserve Friday, sidelining him for at least the next three games.
The Patriots' Kyle Van Noy (neck) will not play in Sunday's AFC East clash with the Jets.
The Browns' Anthony Walker (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Friday, sidelining him for at least the next three games.
