Latest News for Every Game

Panthers vs Falcons

🔴 Out

(ATL) Michael Penix Jr.

Michael Penix Jr. is progressing, but he’s not ready for game action yet, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. The signal-caller has now undergone three ACL reconstructions, and both Penix and the team are understandably approaching this recovery with caution. He did take some reps on Wednesday, so the progression continues.

Steelers

🟡 Unlikely to play

(PIT) Michael Pittman Jr.

Michael Pittman Jr. has been listed as questionable with a foot injury after missing practice on both Thursday and Friday. The veteran wideout began the week as a limited participant on Wednesday before sitting out the final two practices, leaving his status uncertain for Sunday’s matchup against New England.

Panthers vs Falcons

🔴 Out

(ATL) Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury last Thursday in practice, and as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes, that often leads to more than a one-week absence for a quarterback. Sitting out Wednesday wasn’t a good start for Tagovailoa, and he also wasn’t seen on Thursday. Jack Strand will serve as Rush’s backup in Week 2. 

Bengals at Texans

🟢 Expected to play

(CIN) Joe Burrow

Bengals at Texans

🔴 Out

(HOU) Nico Collins

The star wide receiver suffered a hamstring injury on Wednesday during practice and then sat out Thursday and Friday. Collins won’t play against Cincinnati, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Saints vs Ravens

🟢 Likely to play

(NO) Alvin Kamara

Alvin Kamara was surprisingly inactive during Week 1 after being a full participant in practice. The Saints’ backfield depth allowed the team to ease him back in following a knee injury. Barring a setback, he seems likely to make his season debut.

Saints vs Ravens

🟡 Unlikely to play

(BAL) Zay Flowers

Zay Flowers left Baltimore’s Week 1 win early with a hamstring issue. Initially the issue didn’t seem serious, but he’s now missed two straight practices to begin the week. As of Friday, the Ravens WR1 is listed as doubtful.

Steelers vs Patriots

🟢 Likely to play

(NE) TreVeyon Henderson

The Patriots’ running game suffered significantly without Henderson, who didn’t practice last week while recovering from an ankle ailment. But he returned to the field this week, putting him on track to play.

Vikings vs Bears

🔴 Out

(MIN) Kyler Murray

Kyler Murray took the worst of a nasty collision with Packers safety Javon Bullard, and he exited early, with Carson Wentz taking over. He was immediately placed in concussion protocol, and it has been confirmed that Wentz will get the nod against Chicago.

Browns vs Buccaneers

🟡 Day-to-day

(TB) Sean Tucker

Sean Tucker missed Week 1 with a hamstring issue, leading to even more carries for Buccaneers workhorse Bucky Irving. He practiced during the latter half of the week, however, pointing Tucker in the right direction for Week 2.

Raiders vs Chargers

🟡 DNP

(LAC) Ladd McConkey

McConkey suffered a rib injury in Week 1, and head coach Jim Harbaugh said the status of the target vacuum remains uncertain. He missed Wednesday and Thursday practice, increasing the possibility of a Week 2 absence.

Jaguars vs Broncos

🟢 Returned to practice

(JAC) Brian Thomas Jr.

Thomas left with a shoulder problem in Week 1, but he returned to practice on Wednesday.

Seahawks vs Cardinals

🔴 Out

(SEA) Sam Darnold

Darnold has been ruled out for Week 2, but his status could get murky beyond that. The Seahawks have said Darnold suffered a “very unique” soft tissue injury, and his absence will be short-term. The fact he hasn’t been put on injured reserve aligns with missing a short period.

Commanders vs Cowboys

🔴 Out

(WAS) Chig Okonkwo

Chig Okonkwo departed Week 1 with a hamstring injury and was ruled out alongside LB Frankie Luvu on Friday.

Colts vs Chiefs

🟢 Likely to play

(IND) Alec Pierce

Alec Pierce, the Colts’ primary deep threat, returned during the team’s Week 1 game after suffering a wrist injury. The wideout says he’s fine now, though he added that the supportive guard he needed to wear during the game was cumbersome and made it tough to secure the ball.

Giants vs Rams

🟡 Uncertain

(LAR) Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald continues to work his way back into game shape after coming out of retirement. The Rams are giving him the time he needs, with head coach Sean McVay saying on Monday that Donald will “continue to work his process.” His status is up in the air for Monday Night Football, but there’s likely more urgency with Myles Garrett on injured reserve.

NFL Week 2 injury impact

Let’s take a deeper dive into a few of the most significant injury situations heading into Week 2 and the potential betting impact.

Ladd McConkey (WR, Chargers)

• Spread: Chargers -6.5 vs. Raiders
• Total: 43.5
• Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. ET
• Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.

Ladd McConkey’s shiftiness and route running make him a target magnet when healthy, as he’s logged 100-plus looks in each of his first two NFL seasons. Yes, the Los Angeles Chargers could look more often to deep option Quentin Johnston, but the direct and underrated replacement for McConkey in the slot is Derius Davis.

He’s primarily worked on special teams, but Davis ran nine routes from the slot in Week 1. If McConkey is out, he could be a sneaky anytime touchdown long shot ahead of a game against the Las Vegas Raiders, in which Los Angeles is the -6.5 favorite in the NFL Week 2 odds and lines.

Kyler Murray (QB, Vikings)

• Spread: Bears -4.5 vs. Vikings
• Total: 48.5
• Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
• Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL.

It’ll be Carson Wentz under center again, and that would be concerning beyond this week for the Minnesota Vikings.

But short-term, a backup who just threw three touchdown passes after Murray departed can be serviceable enough against a leaky Chicago Bears defense. That unit just gave up 37 points against the Carolina Panthers, a game that featured 361 passing yards and three touchdowns from Bryce Young.

If anything, it’ll be a chance to capitalize on receiving prop totals for the likes of Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson that might be slightly lower than usual.

Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa (QBs, Falcons)

• Spread: Panthers -2.5 vs. Falcons
• Total: 44.5
• Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
• Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.

We’re set for the Cooper Rush experience again, and the line should shift swiftly in the Carolina Panthers‘ direction.

There’s already been significant movement after the Falcons surprisingly opened as the -1.5 favorite, and that’s since changed to Panthers -2.5.

A third-string quarterback falls to that area of the depth chart for a reason, and this particular one is fresh off getting sacked four times, throwing two picks, and completing only 54.5% of his pass attempts while averaging 6.5 yards.