Nobody likes injuries. They are the bane of our existence, as Fantasy Football players. To think that any of our prized draft picks could be shut down for the season after just one week is a hard pill to swallow, but with each injury comes a new opportunity for the Next-Man-Up mentality to take control and for heroes to be born. The sweetness of opportunity that helps balance out the bitterness of loss does little to comfort owners who lost their first-round picks last week, but there is no time to wallow in sadness. It’s time to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and evaluate the status of bumps and bruises around the league as we prep for Week 2.
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Cleveland at Baltimore (Sunday, 1 pm ET)
Cleveland: Browns’ offseason acquisition and left guard, Kevin Zeitler, went down with an injured right thumb last Sunday in the team’s loss to the Steelers. Reports say Zeitler has been seen with a cast on his right arm, however Hue Jackson seems optimistic that he will be ready to go for their matchup against their division rival, as Zeitler has participated in a limited capacity in practice this week. Zeitler is considered a critical piece in, not only, protecting rookie QB Deshone Kizer, but also creating running room for RB Isaiah Crowell. If Zeitler is ruled out of Sunday’s game, both get a major downgrade in expectations against a great Baltimore defense.
Baltimore: Danny Woodhead was placed on the IR this week after leaving Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, meaning he will be out for a minimum of six weeks. In his absence it is expected RB Javorius Allen should see increased usage in the passing game. It should also be noted that the Ravens have promoted Jeremy Langford to their active roster for added depth.
Buffalo at Carolina (Sunday, 1 pm ET)
Buffalo: LeSean McCoy (wrist/groin) and Charles Clay (shoulder) both missed time in practice this week, however both are expected to play Sunday vs Carolina. After heavy workloads in Week 1, it’s no surprise to see these veterans get an opportunity to rest during the week. I would expect to see this become the routine as we continue through this season.
Carolina: Cam Newton (shoulder) was limited in practice on Thursday and Ron Rivera said that this is “the new normal” going forward with the star QB as he continues to recover from offseason surgery. Newton, along with the rest of the Panthers roster, was not on the final injury report the team provided on Friday.
Arizona at Indianapolis (Sunday, 1 pm ET)
Arizona: The biggest injury news to come from Week 1 was the loss of David Johnson due to a dislocated wrist. Coach Bruce Arians says that the team “hopes to have him back by Thanksgiving or Christmas.” Obviously, this is equally bad news for Cardinals fans as well as D.J. owners. It has yet to be seen how the backfield will play out, but it is assumed that a RBBC will be in place, despite Kerwynn Williams being named the RB1 for Week 2. The bad news doesn’t end with Johnson for the Cardinals, as they have a longer injury report than most. The left side of the offensive line will be in flux as they will be without LT D.J. Humphries (MCL) and LG Mike Iupati (tricep). WR John Brown (quad) has also already been ruled out of this week’s game, while TE Jermaine Gresham (ribs), TE Troy Niklas (hip), and DT Robert Nkemdiche (calf) are all listed as Questionable. Niklas and Nkemdiche both saw limited reps all week which would put their chances of playing slightly higher than Gresham, who has not practiced all week.
Indianapolis: The injury report for the Colts has already ruled out five starters for their Week 2 matchup against Arizona. Andrew Luck (shoulder) and Ryan Kelly (foot) will be out for a second consecutive week as they both recover from their respective surgeries. This means that either Scott Tolzien or Jacoby Brissett will be pushed into the deep end, without their starting center against a competent Cardinals D. The Colts defense that allowed 306 yards and a touchdown through the air to Jared Goff will still be without their top CB, Vontae Davis. It will be “next man up” for first-round pick Malik Hooker in place of the injured Darius Butler and some combination of Jeremiah George and Sean Spence for injured ILBs Antonio Morrison and Anthony Walker.
Tennessee at Jacksonville (Sunday, 1 pm ET)
Tennessee: Both names on the official report for the Titans come on the defensive side of the ball. Their secondary will be without safety Johnathan Cyprien as well as backup CB Tye Smith. Neither loss makes opposing QB Blake Bortles any more enticing.
Jacksonville: The big, fantasy relevant story that we should be watching throughout the weekend will be the status of Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey missed practice on Friday with an ankle injury and is currently questionable for Sunday’s game. If Ramsey is out, there will be a weakened link in this secondary for Mariota to attempt to exploit. Doug Marrone has listed Ramsey as a game-time decision. On the offensive side of the ball, expect to see Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns combine to try and fill the void left by Allen Robinson’s season-ending ACL tear. In a game where Jacksonville should have to throw the ball more than they did last week, Lee and Hurns both have the potential for a decent game (provided their opportunities aren’t tanked by Bortles).
Philadelphia at Kansas City (Sunday, 1 pm ET)
Philadelphia: Ronald Darby, one of the Eagles major offseason acquisitions, left last week’s game against Washington with a dislocated ankle. When asked about his timetable, Darby said he expects to be back in “4-6 weeks.” Without Darby, the Eagles secondary appears to be just as vulnerable as it was through most of the season last year.
Kansas City: The big news in the NFL season opener, besides the emergence of a rampant Kansas City offense, was the loss of Eric Berry, who tore his left achilles tendon. Look to see converted corner Eric Murray attempt to step into the hole Berry’s injury has made.
New England at New Orleans (Sunday, 1 pm ET)
New England: The Patriots’ injury report is always fodder for speculation, however there are already three players worth noting that have been ruled out of this weekend’s showdown in the Superdome. WRs Danny Amendola (concussion) and Matthew Slater (hamstring) along with MLB Dont’a Hightower (knee) have all been nixed from the active roster. Possibly joining them is Devin McCourty, New England’s starting safety.
New Orleans: Zach Strief (knee) right tackle, has been ruled out after missing practice all week.
Minnesota at Pittsburgh (Sunday, 1 pm ET)
Minnesota: Sam Bradford (knee) was listed on this week’s injury report alongside Anthony Barr (hamstring) and Xavier Rhodes (hip) as questionable for Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh. 3000000845789/article/sam-bradford-set-to-play-after-having-mri-on-knee”>Mike Zimmer expects his quarterback to play after he underwent an MRI this week. Barr and Rhodes are both integral pieces to this Vikings defense. If either is out, there is potential for the Killer B’s to find opportunity.
Pittsburgh: No major fantasy concerns on the Steelers’ injury report this weekend, however Vance McDonald (back) and Stephon Tuitt (biceps) are both listed as questionable.
Chicago at Tampa Bay (Sunday, 1 pm ET)
Chicago: The effects of losing Cam Meredith were evident last week in the Bear’s offense. It should be expected to see more targets to their RBs and TEs as Josh Bellamy (ankle) and Markus Wheaton (finger) are both listed as questionable on the Bear’s official injury report. Tarik Cohen should retain his role as the primary target out of the backfield as Benny Cunningham (ankle) is listed as doubtful to play this weekend. On the other side of the ball, Prince Amukamara (ankle) was limited all week in practice. Mike Evans owners should watch his status, as his absence could force Kyle Fuller or Bryce Callahan into a starting role.
Tampa Bay: As Tampa Bay was off last week, due to Hurricane Irma, they are relatively healthy going into their season opener. The only starter questionable for Week 2 is Kwon Alexander (illness).
Miami at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:05 pm ET)
Miami: Jarvis Landry (knee) showed up on the final injury report for the Dolphins this week, making him questionable for Sunday’s game. Mike Pouncey (hip) and Jay Ajayi (knee) have both been cleared to play.
Los Angeles Chargers: The primary injury that fantasy owners should be aware of is Jason Verrett (knee) being ruled out this week. Casey Hayward is still a force to be dealt with in the secondary, however Trevor Williams or Desmond King (Verrett’s expected replacement options) are both a significant step down from Verrett in terms of both skill and experience.
New York Jets at Oakland (Sunday, 4:05 pm ET)
New York Jets: Both Eric Tomlinson (elbow) and Jordan Leggett (knee) are ruled out for this week’s game against Oakland. Expect Will Tye to start at TE this week.
Oakland: Amari Cooper (knee) was limited earlier in the week but was a full participant in practice since Thursday. He was not listed on the final injury report.
Dallas at Denver (Sunday, 4:25 pm ET)
Dallas: Orlando Scandrick (hand) has been ruled out after surgery on his hand on Monday. Fellow defensive back Byron Jones (groin) is listed as questionable. Another notable player on the injury report this week is Terrance Williams (ankle). If he is unable to go, expect Brice Butler to get a chance against Denver’s “No-Fly Zone.”
Denver: Right guard, Ron Leary, is questionable to play against his former team, as he is recovering from a concussion sustained last weekend.
Washington at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:25 pm ET)
Washington: Josh Doctson (hamstring) is the only name on the Redskin’s injury report this week. He is questionable to play against the Rams.
Los Angeles Rams: No fantasy relevant players appear on the Rams’ injury report.
San Francisco at Seattle (Sunday, 4:25 pm ET)
San Francisco: The 49ers defense will be without Rueben Foster (ankle) this weekend. Jimmie Ward (hamstring) is listed as questionable but he said on Friday that he is “100% and good enough to go.”
Seattle: Richard Sherman (hamstring) missed some practice this week but Pete Carroll said that “he did well” on Friday and that it “looks like he can play.”
Green Bay at Atlanta (Sunday, 8:30 pm ET)
Green Bay: The Packers listed both starting offensive tackles, David Bakhtiari (hamstring) and Bryan Bulaga (ankle/illness), on the injury report this week as questionable. If either or both miss it puts Aaron Rodgers in a spot of potential vulnerability. Also listed as questionable, Mike Daniels is still dealing with a hip injury, sustained last week against Seattle.
Atlanta: No fantasy relevant players appear on the Falcons’ injury report.
Detroit at New York Giants (Monday, 8:30 pm ET)
Detroit: Golden Tate (finger) seems to be back to normal as he was a full participant in Friday’s practice. Ziggy Ansah (knee), however, was still held to limited participation. Keep an eye on the Lions’ injury report to see who is active in Saturday’s practice, going into Monday night.
New York Giants: Odell Beckham Jr. is still dealing with the high ankle sprain that he sustained in preseason. Word around the Giants’ seems to indicate that he is improving each day and that there is a possibility he’ll be ready to play Monday night. However, McAdoo’s announcement on Monday that Beckham is “dealing with an injury that’s usually a six to eight week thing” should give fantasy owners pause in their expectations.
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Ethan Sauers is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Ethan, check out his archive and follow him @ethansauers.
