Time really does fly when you are having fun. With one week, for better or worse, under our belts we are back at it again for Week 2. 

We know some things, but not nearly as much as we think; or at least that is what we will be saying Monday morning depending on how Sunday’s games go. Perhaps one of the biggest takeaways from last week, and this is something that can be repeated each week moving forward, is that it’s hard to really trust anything until you see it for yourself. 

Yes, I am still bitter about Raheem Mostert in case you were wondering. 

With that being said, we have to work with the information we have and make the best possible decisions so let’s take a trip around the league and check in on some injury news. 

Quarterbacks

After a gruesome knee injury derailed his rookie campaign, there had to at least be a little doubt in the back of your mind as to how Joe Burrow would bounce back this season. With 261 yards and two touchdowns it wasn’t the best of outings for Burrow but he was efficient completing 74.1% of passes. Burrow was a full participant in practice this week so we can comfortably move forward with him as a borderline QB1 depending on the league depth and matchup. 

The fact that Pittsburgh is handling things carefully with Ben Roethlisberger shouldn’t come as a surprise and we shouldn’t read anything into his mid-week DNP’s although after last week’s ugly victory in Buffalo, you could argue that he needs the work. The Bills do have a tough defense and we know that Roethlisberger is capable of more than 188 passing yards and a touchdown but health won’t hold him back just yet.

Running Backs

Clyde Edwards-Helaire carried the ball 14 times so that is something to like for those who spent an early draft pick on the second-year back. The problem though is that he only gained 43 yards although Edwards-Helaire did catch three passes for another 29 yards. Things likely won’t get any easier this week against Baltimore but it is a good sign to see where the workload was at as he has also been a full participant in practice despite an ankle issue. 

After last week it shouldn’t be a surprise to see Josh Jacobs’ name on the Injury Report once again; now especially so as he is working on a short week. Jacobs was absent from practice on Thursday for the second straight day while still dealing with toe and ankle injuries and at this point, we have to have our doubts about his status on Sunday. What happens in practice on Friday could potentially go a long way towards determining that, but with 10 carries for 34 yards he didn’t show off much explosiveness on Monday. Jacobs’ two touchdowns made the day look a lot more respectable from a fantasy perspective but he clearly is not at full strength. I would have a back-up plan ready to go as Kenyan Drake stands to benefit the most here. 

Philadelphia isn’t hurting for running backs but Miles Sanders is still the back to roster. After being limited in practice on Wednesday, with both his ankle and rest listed as explanations, he was back in action the following day without restrictions. Sanders was on the field for 66% of the Eagles’ snaps on Sunday and it’s hard to argue with 119 yards on 19 touches (four receptions) we saw from him although a touchdown would be nice. 

Monday night games always make things harder from a roster management and start/sit standpoint, but things are even more complex when both top running backs from a team are banged up. D’Andre Swift was dealing with a groin injury all summer so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see him limited in practice to this point. The fact that Detroit has an extra day does help here but after getting 63 snaps and 19 touches (104 yards) last week, I don’t think we need to be too concerned about Swift’s status. Of course, should he aggravate the injury in practice this week those thoughts are subject to change but at this point there doesn’t appear to be any issues. Jamaal Williams is who has the most to gain from any possible setback but he was also limited in practice on Thursday with a chest injury. After gaining a combined 110 yards on Sunday there is clearly enough room in Detroit’s offense for both running backs, but since this is a new injury, it is something to monitor. 

Rashaad Penny is making it easy for those who might have been holding onto him as he is slated to be out of action with a calf injury as he simply can’t stay healthy. 

Wide Receivers

Despite continuing to practice on a limited basis, Odell Beckham is being held out of action again this week as Cleveland proceeds cautiously with him after ACL surgery last year. Things do seem to be moving forward according to plan, just slowly, so there are no concerns about setbacks. Opposite Jarvis Landry, Anthony Schwartz has the most to benefit after catching three of his five targets last week for 69 yards. The rookie has been limited this week in practice himself with a knee injury but it doesn’t appear to be enough to limit him this week in a favorable match-up against Houston. 

After missing practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury, Gabriel Davis was back in action on Thursday on a limited basis. Davis was targeted five times last week catching two of those passes for 40 yards and a touchdown, but he is more of a deep league option or DFS flier with upside. He would benefit from the absence of Emmanuel Sanders but his DNP status from Thursday seems to be due more to rest than his foot injury as he practiced in full on Wednesday after kicking the season off with four catches for 52 yards on eight targets. 

It remains to be seen how successful the Jets’ offense and their rookie quarterback will be against New England this week, but Zack Wilson is getting two weapons back in Keenan Cole and Jamison Crowder. Both were limited in practice as Cole works his way back from a knee injury and Crowder makes his return from the COVID-19 list. Crowder likely has some value in PPR leagues as he potentially could connect with Wilson as a safety valve out of the slot but unless something changes, Cole is likely best left for the waiver wire. 

Nelson Agholor continued to build on his mid-season success from last year as he connected instantly with Mac Jones catching five of seven targets for 72 yards and a touchdown. At the same time, any concerns about Agholor’s ankle have been pushed to the side. 

We should be used to seeing A.J. Brown’s name on the injury list by now as he works through knee issues, but he was a full participant on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. If you want to question Tennessee’s offense after their lackluster showing to begin the season, that is a different story as Brown caught four passes for 49 yards and a touchdown in what was at least a solid fantasy performance. Unless something changes, there is no need for concern here. 

DeVante Parker has been a full participant in practice so we don’t have to worry about his shoulder injury after he led Miami with seven targets to start the season catching four passes for 81 yards. The issue though is the impending return of Will Fuller from suspension and what that could potentially do to his targets. Miami also looks to be getting Preston Williams back after he sat out last week following foot surgery so it will be interesting to see the target breakdown for the Dolphins this week. 

After being listed on the injury report prior to last week, Darnell Mooney caught five passes to start the season; albeit it for just 26 yards. The good news though was his target share (seven) along with the fact that he hasn’t found himself back on the injury report. The same can also be said for Marquise Goodwin after he caught four passes for 45 yards which actually was good enough to lead the team in receiving while giving him minimal fantasy value moving forward as it is Mooney with the upside. 

Don’t worry, you can breathe. Tyreek Hill was a full participant in practice on Wednesday despite being listed with a toe injury so there clearly is nothing to see as he is coming off an 11 reception, 197-yard performance. 

With Marquise Brown missing practice again on Thursday with an ankle injury, it is time to get concerned about the Baltimore receiver. It didn’t appear to impact him Monday night but his status for Friday’s practice will be critical. If Brown continues down this path, Devin Duvernay (one catch for six yard while being limited in practice with a groin injury) like stands to benefit the most with Sammy Watkins also taking on a larger role. 

The Raiders forgot about Bryan Edwards prior to the final drive on Monday but he still finished with four receptions for 81 yards so things could have been worse. He has been a full participant in practice despite being listed with an elbow injury so we can proceed with him in deeper leagues and as a DFS dart. 

There isn’t anything to read into JuJu Schuster getting a rest day on Wednesday from practice as Pittsburgh looks to keep him fresh over the course of the entire season. The 52 yards he gained on Sunday were enough to lead the Steelers in what was a lackluster game but it was a good sign to see him targeted eight times. 

DeAndre Hopkins was busy on Sunday catching six passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns so you could say he earned a day of rest from practice on Wednesday. He was joined by A.J. Green who wasn’t as busy or efficient as he managed just two receptions for 25 yards on his six targets. It is a deep receiving corps for Arizona, and I would likely look elsewhere as it’s unclear how much Green actually has left in the tank. 

Even with the extra day from Detroit playing on Monday, it doesn’t look favorable for Tyrell Williams to take the field as he is in the concussion protocol. If you are looking for a beneficiary, Quintez Cephus (three catches for 12 yards and a touchdown) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (two catches for 23 yards) stand to benefit the most, but this is more for DFS dart throws and super deep seasonal leagues. 

It’s unclear how Brandon Aiyuk’s hamstring is impacting him for the upcoming week but does appear that things are at least progressing in the right direction. However, there is still work to be done and I think it’s only fair to be skeptical moving forward until we see him actually produce on the field. 

Tight Ends

With six receptions, on eight targets, for 62 yards all systems were a go for Noah Fant last week and the fact that he has been a full participant in practice alleviates any concerns we had regarding his knee. Fant might see a slight increase to his workload now that Jerry Jeudy is sidelined. 

After catching four passes for 67 yards to kick off the season things were looking good for Pharoah Brown as the Texans caught a lot of people by surprise. Brown has now missed practice for two straight days (Wednesday and Thursday) with shoulder and ankle injuries and things aren’t looking good for his status on Sunday. With Jordan Akins more of a blocking option, I would look elsewhere for this week. 

It’s never good when a player leaves practice early so, we need to keep a close eye on Anthony Firkser heading into action this week. With three catches for 19 yards to begin the season, the bar for replacement isn’t incredibly high, and even if he does play, Firkser might not be worth the risk if he isn’t 100%. 

After missing practice on Wednesday, Ertz returned on action on a limited basis with both his hamstring and rest listed on the Injury Report. After catching two passes for 34 yards to begin the season, you likely can look elsewhere regardless. 

Jonnu Smith was a new addition to the injury report on Thursday as he was limited with a hip injury so this is a situation to monitor leading up to Sunday. With five receptions for 42 yards on eight targets, there is some production up for grab here, likely heading to Hunter Henry who caught three of his targets for 31 yards, so this is something to keep an eye on. 

Eric Ebron was another new addition on Thursday with a hamstring injury after we saw him practice without issue on Wednesday. He was only targeted twice last week in what was a rough afternoon overall for the Pittsburgh offense but Pat Freiermuth (one catch for 24 yards) would stand to benefit.