So we’re into Week 2 and we’ve got some good news. While it isn’t official, it does appear that Josh Johnson and Landry Jones will start this week (against each other, oddly enough), but again it’s not official. Landry Jones carries no injury designation, while Josh Johnson is still Questionable. The XFL’s official injury reports are a little frustrating in conjunction with reporting inactives. Almost as frustrating as their depth charts, but that’s a complaint for another day. There are some formidable names on the list below so we’ll scan the Injury Report ahead of Saturday’s slate of games to keep you well informed for your seasonal and DFS leagues.

 

Officially Ruled Out

Aaron Murray (QB – Tampa Bay Vipers): Murray hasn’t practiced at all this week with a foot injury. That being said, he’s already been ruled out for Saturday’s game in Seattle. This leaves a puzzling matter at starting quarterback for Tampa Bay. Taylor Cornelius is technically higher on the QB depth charts for Tampa Bay. However, Quinton Flowers should see a significant amount of snaps at quarterback. He stepped in for Murray last week and looked pretty decent as a dynamic weapon moving the offense. The issue for the Vipers was that they could not finish a drive. Follow along through social media as well in the Fantasy Alarm XFL Chat to see who gets the start for Tampa Bay this weekend. Update: Aaron Murray has officially been declared inactive for Saturday's game. Taylor Cornelius will get the start, but the Vipers will likely mix in Quinton Flowers.

Charles/Chad Kanoff (QB – Los Angeles Wildcats): Kanoff missed practice all week with a shoulder/head injury. His injury status has led many to believe that Josh Johnson will play this weekend as Johnson has practiced in a limited fashion.

Kasen Williams (WR – Seattle Dragons): Williams is sadly going to miss his second straight game for the Dragons. And that’s most unfortunate because the Dragons could really use the one-two punch of Williams and Keenan Reynolds. This will present opportunities for Reynolds, Austin Proehl, Dontez Byrd, and Alonzo Moore. Update: Kasen Williams is officially inactive for Saturday's game.

DuJuan Harris (RB – Los Angeles Wildcats): Harris has been listed as the backup to Elijah Hood on the running back depth charts for L.A., but he only carried the ball twice last week. So while Larry Rose and Martez Carter are expected to step up, you can’t assume their workloads increase all that much unless we hear something significant before Sunday’s game.

Justin Stockton (RB - New York Guardians): Stockton has been ruled out for Saturday afternoon's game. His third on the depth chart but it should give Darius Victor a more solidified role despite already seeing a solid amount of work last week.

Jazz Ferguson (WR - Dallas Renegades): Jazz Ferguson has been ruled OUT for Sunday's game. This is a slightly surprising development because he was Probably on Thursday. He is confirmed OUT.

 

Questionable

Josh Johnson (QB – Los Angeles Wildcats): While there is plenty of optimism regarding Johnson’s status for this weekend, he’s still technically Questionable. So we approach his status as objective as possible. Heading into Week 1, reports came out late in the week that Johnson hadn’t practiced at all in recent weeks, which led a lot of people (myself included) to believe his injury was a little more serious than we initially thought. Now he’s been practicing this week, albeit in a limited capacity. There’s still a great chance he starts, but until it’s official we still proceed with a little caution.

Matt Jones (RB – St. Louis Battlehawks): Jones may be the only running back in the XFL that truly emerged as a “bell cow,” which is an exaggeration after just one week, but he managed to carry the ball 21 times for 85 yards. His totals dwarfed Christine Michael’s seven rush attempts for zero yards. Jones was a full participant on Friday so it does appear that he’ll be good to go for the last game on the slate Sunday afternoon.

Saeed Blacknall (WR – Los Angeles Wildcats): Blacknall is more doubtful than he is questionable with a thigh injury. The absence of Blacknall may not be so significant considering he was targeted four times and brought in zero catches last week. If Josh Johnson starts at quarterback for L.A., the offense should move along just fine with Nelson Spruce and Jordan Smallwood.

Tre McBride (WR – Los Angeles Wildcats): Continuing with L.A. wideouts, Tre McBride is a little more optimistic to play on Sunday. The Wildcats aren’t desperate to get McBride into the mix. They can lean on Spruce, Smallwood, and even Barnes as targets while mixing in McBride on a few plays. If he does play, he’s an okay DFS play at just $4,000 on DraftKings.

 

Probable

Brandon Silvers (QB – Seattle Dragons): Silvers missed practice earlier in the week. But it turned out to be precautionary. Silvers had his up’s and down’s last week. He threw three touchdowns against D.C. but also had three turnovers. But Seattle gets a home game this week and should have an easier matchup against Tampa Bay this time around. Update: Brandon Silvers will start for Seattle on Saturday.

Khari Lee (TE/WR – D.C. Defenders): Lee practiced in full on Wednesday, but was limited on Thursday. That’s not to say he got hurt overnight, it could just be to get him rest before a Saturday game. Lee had just one target, but he turned it into a 39-yard touchdown reception. If the Defenders can get the ball into the red zone, you imagine he’ll continue to be a solid option for Cardale Jones. Update: Lee is active, but listed as "Available" according to the team. It's a little uncertain ho much use the team will get out of him. May be a strict GPP dart throw at the moment.

DeAndre Thompkins (WR – D.C. Defenders): Thompkins is listed as probable after missing Week 1. Thompkins was listed atop D.C.’s depth charts as a starter on offense. His injury designation obvious hurt that last week as Rashad Ross and Eli Rogers have emerged as the two premiere targets for Cardale Jones so if Thompkins does play on Saturday, it could be in a slightly more limited role. He could see a similar two-to-four target role like Malachi Dupre, who is also listed as Probable.

Sam Mobley (WR – Houston Roughnecks): Mobley only had two targets last week, but he turned one of those into a 30-yard touchdown catch. Any receiver in Houston’s offense could be a viable DFS option. He’s still a solid value play, as is anybody in Houston, if the Roughnecks continue to throw the ball as much as June Jones would like.