Last Minute Decisions: Injury Report: Week 2

Week 2 of the NFL season is here, and the Rotoworld crew has everything you need to cash in a winning week. Top-ten FantasyPros ranker Patrick Daugherty answers your lineup questions with his Week 2 Rankings, Nick Mensio tells you who to start and who to fade in Start’ Em or Sit ‘Em, and Evan Silva breaks down every matchup in his award-winning Matchups Column.

As for me, I am here to shed some light on the most important injury situations facing fantasy owners heading into the weekend. The sister resource to this column is the Rotoworld News Page, which will have every single inactive and all the late-breaking news up to kickoff and beyond. I also occasionally tweet about football @RMSummerlin. 

Editor’s Note: For updated rankings, fantasy news columns, IDP, injury analysis, dynasty and much more, check out the Rotoworld Season Pass.

1 PM Games

Texans @ Panthers

* Luke Kuechly (concussion) did not practice this week and is listed as doubtful. He is not going to play. A.J. Klein will start in his place. Star Lotulelei (foot) is questionable after getting in limited work this week, but he is also unlikely to play. These absences are an upgrade for the Texans’ offense, but with a new starting quarterback and not much talent in the backfield, there is no one outside DeAndre Hopkins worth starting. This game has the lowest Vegas total of the week at 39.5.

* Arian Foster (groin) is officially out Week 2, but he participated in practice both Thursday and Friday. He looks like a good bet to suit up next week in a great matchup against the Bucs. Duane Brown (hand) is officially questionable, but he is unlikely to play after missing every practice this week.

Bucs @ Saints

*C.J. Spiller (knee) is listed as questionable after practicing on a limited basis all week. Most signs point to Spiller playing, but The New Orleans Times-Picayune speculates he could be on a snap count. He is more of a desperation FLEX in PPR formats. With Jarius Byrd (knee) and Keenan Lewis (hip) out, the Saints are not in a great position to stop even the Bucs’ passing attack.

* Mike Evans (hamstring) is listed as questionable after getting in three limited practices this week. Evans has already declared himself “100 percent,” and it would be surprising if he did not suit up. In a game the Bucs are projected to lose big, Evans should see plenty of targets against a banged up secondary. He is a high-end RB2 even with the injury concern.

49ers @ Steelers

*Most of the Steelers’ defense is listed as probable with various ailments. Cortez Allen (knee) is listed as questionable. He missed practice on Wednesday but was able to get in a limited session Thursday and Friday.

* Reggie Bush (calf) is out. Carlos Hyde should continue to dominate running back touches with Jarryd Hayne in a change-of-pace role. Bruce Ellington popped up on the injury report for the first time Friday with an ankle injury. He is listed as questionable.

Lions @ Minnesota

* Jerick McKinnon popped up on the injury report Wednesday with an ankle injury, but he practiced in full all week. He is probable.

*Golden Tate (quad) was only able to practice on a limited basis all week, but he is listed as probable along with CB Darius Slay, who suffered an ankle injury late in the Week 1 loss. The Lions should get the right side of their offensive line back this week as well. Larry Warford (ankle) and LaAdrian Waddle (knee, elbow) practiced in full Friday and are listed as probable. Brandon Pettigrew is out with a hamstring injury, and DeAndre Levy (doubtful, hip) is likely to miss his second game in a row. Haloti Ngata (shoulder) and Caraun Reid (ankle) are questionable.

Patriots @ Bills

* LeSean McCoy is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. McCoy was not on the injury report Wednesday, but he had to “back out” of practice Thursday and only got in a limited session on Friday. ESPN’s Dianna Marie Russini reported McCoy is expected to “play lots” Sunday, but he struggled at less than 100 percent Week 1 in a more favorable matchup than the Patriots will offer this week. McCoy is more an RB2 against New England, and he is not a recommended DFS play. Corey Graham (concussion) is probable.

* Dominique Easley (hip) was able to get in a limited practice Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday. He is still listed as doubtful. Ryan Wendell (illness) is out, which leaves rookie David Andrews to start at center. He held his own against the Steelers, but he will face a much tougher test this week. The Patriots’ running game should struggle in this one.
 

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Cardinals @ Bears

* Alshon Jeffery felt tightness in his hamstring after Thursday’s practice and did not practice on Friday. ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson reported the injury is a setback related to Jeffery’s injured hamstring. Jeffery is officially listed as questionable, but it would make a lot of sense for the Bears to rest their No. 1 receiver. He was clearly less than 100 percent Week 1 even before this setback. Eddie Royal and Martellus Bennett would be considerably upgraded if Jeffery sits. Free-agent addition Pernell McPhee appears to have suffered a knee injury in practice Wednesday and missed both Thursday’s and Friday’s sessions. He is officially questionable, but in-week injuries are always trouble. The Bears’ pass rush is impotent even with McPhee, and his absence would be a huge upgrade for Carson Palmer and the Cardinals’ passing game. Jon Bostic (ankle) is out.

* Andre Ellington (sprained MCL) has unsurprisingly been ruled out. Ellington acknowledged Friday his injury could sideline him 2-3 weeks. Chris Johnson will start in Ellington’s place with rookie David Johnson taking on an increased role as well. Michael Floyd (hand) practiced in full all week and should see an expanded role after playing just nine snaps last week. Mike Iupati (knee) has been declared out, but he is on track to return next week against the 49ers.

Titans @ Browns

* With Josh McCown (concussion) out, Johnny Manziel will start against the Titans. Manziel turned the ball over three times in basically three quarters Week 1. The Titans’ DST is an interesting streaming option and a good DFS tournament play. Dwayne Bowe (hamstring) was limited all week and is listed as questionable. He will not be fantasy relevant even if he plays. Karlos Dansby (foot) got in a limited practice Friday after missing both Wednesday and Thursday. He is questionable.

* Delanie Walker (wrist) got in a full practice on Friday, but he is still listed as questionable. ESPN’s Paul Kuharsky considers him “iffy” to play. He is a risky play who could be replaced by Ladarius Green (45 percent owned in Yahoo leagues). Jason McCourty (groin) is listed as doubtful after not practicing all week. The Titans have no reason to rush him back against the Browns’ passing “attack.”

Chargers @ Bengals

* George Iloka (ankle) is questionable after getting in limited practices Thursday and Friday. He should play.

* Rookie Kyle Emanuel (shoulder) is listed as questionable after practicing on a limited basis all week. Emanuel was knocked out of Week 1 with the shoulder injury, but not before he recorded two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. With Tourek Williams (foot) out, the Chargers need Emanuel to play. D.J. Fluker is out at least another couple weeks with an ankle injury.  Jahleel Addae (ankle) is doubtful.

Rams @ Redskins

* Jordan Reed is listed as questionable after injuring his quad in Wednesday’s practice. Coach Jay Gruden called Reed’s injury “minor,” and Reed said he is “one hundred percent” going to play. His ability to last the entire game is a question mark, however, making him a risky bet in both season-long and DFS. DeSean Jackson (hamstring) will be out another 2-3 weeks.

* Tre Mason (thigh) and Todd Gurley (knee) were both listed as questionable after being full participants in practice all week. Mason will likely play and start while Gurley is more on the doubtful side of questionable and will see limited work even if he suits up. The good news is Gurley should make his debut Week 3 at the very latest.

Falcons @ Giants

* Jon Beason (knee) is listed as doubtful after getting in limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. Beason reportedly looked good in practice, so he should be good to go next week. Victor Cruz (calf) will miss at least the next couple weeks. Rueben Randle will continue to start in his place.

* Julio Jones (hamstring) caused a stir by not practicing Wednesday and Thursday, but he got in a full session on Friday and is listed as probable. He is a must-start option. Devin Hester (toe) is out for the second week in a row.

4 PM Games

Ravens @ Raiders

* Lorenzo Taliaferro (sprained knee) is probable after getting in three full practices this week. He will step in as the backup to Justin Forsett (probable, shoulder). Eugene Monroe (concussion) will not play Week 2. James Hurst will start in his place. Breshad Perriman (knee) is out until October.

* Derek Carr (throwing hand) will play after getting in full practices all week. Charles Woodson (dislocated shoulder) is questionable. With Nate Allen (knee) on injured reserve, the Raiders need Woodson to play. He will be a game-time decision.

Dolphins @ Jaguars

* Marqise Lee (hamstring) is probable after getting in limited practices all week. The Albino Tiger has been inconsistent when on the field, but he offers more playmaking ability than Rashad Greene (probable, back). Luke Joeckel (ankle) did not practice all week and is listed as questionable. The Jags’ offensive line crumbled after Joeckel was forced from the game Week 1. Toby Gerhart (abdomen) will miss his second straight week, leaving any goal-line work to rookie T.J. Yeldon. Dwayne Gratz (ankle) has been ruled out, and Johnathan Cyprien (finger/calf) is doubtful. Julius Thomas (hand), Sen`Derrick Marks (knee) and Alan Branch (knee) are likely a couple more weeks away.

* Oliver Vernon (probable, ankle) and Cameron Wake (questionable, hamstring) only saw limited work in practice this week. Reshad Jones (hamstring) is questionable.

Cowboys @ Eagles

* Marcus Smith (hamstring) is probable. He practiced in full all week.

* Ronald Leary (groin) is doubtful after missing every practice this week. Mackenzy Bernadeau will likely start in his place, but rookie La`El Collins is an option as well. Dez Bryant (broken foot) and Randy Gregory (high-ankle sprain) are out at least another month, but Bryant will likely be sidelined into November.

Sunday Night

Seahawks @ Packers

* Bryan Bulaga has been ruled out after suffering a sprained MCL in Thursday’s practice. Replacement Don Barclay was a major liability this preseason when asked to start. Randall Cobb (shoulder) is probable and will play. Morgan Burnett (calf) is questionable after getting in limited sessions this week. The Packers’ run defense was shredded last week without Burnett in the lineup.

* Bruce Irvin did not practice Thursday with a rib injury and is listed as questionable. He was able to get in a limited practice on Friday, however, and coach Pete Carroll said, “We think he’s going to be fine.” Tharold Simon (toe) is expected to be a game-time decision.

Monday Night

Jets @ Colts

* T.Y. Hilton (knee) did not practice on Thursday or Friday and is shaping up as a game-time decision. If Hilton misses practice again on Saturday, it would be safe to count him out for Monday night. If he gets in work, however, it would set up a nightmare scenario for fantasy owners. It will be very difficult to carry Hilton into Monday night without a contingency plan like Donte Moncrief available. Darius Butler (hip) and Greg Toler (neck) are both unlikely to play after missing practice Thursday and Friday. Robert Mathis (Achilles) got in limited work Thursday and Friday.

* Chris Ivory tweaked his groin during Thursday’s practice and was limited on Friday. Coach Todd Bowles expressed zero concern about his status for Monday night. Antonio Cromartie (knee) got in limited work on Friday, but Bowles said “he didn’t do a lot.” He is unlikely to play. Geno Smith (broken jaw) will be out at least another two weeks. 

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