NFL Week 2 picks, predictions and best bets
USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes is back with his NFL best bets for week 2 games of the NFL season.
The first week of the NFL season is always the most heartbreaking. Not only do half of all fans have to watch their team start the season on a loss, but the first week also tends to be when the injury bug takes its first victims.
All in all, there weren’t too many notable injuries, thank goodness. While Packers‘ quarterback Jordan Love suffered a brutal knee injury toward the end of their Week 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, the injury didn’t turn out as serious as many people believed it would. Sure, Christian McCaffrey was forced to sit out of Monday Night Football, but the injury didn’t happen during the game. Fortunately, there were no season-ending injuries, only minor ones to players like Puka Nacua, David Njoku, and Jake Ferguson, each of whom is expected to return within three-to-four weeks.
However, just because nobody was put in IR, that doesn’t mean last week’s injuries won’t have an impact on your fantasy team. Here are the latest updates regarding the NFL’s biggest injuries.
NFL Week 2 picks: Will Bills or Dolphins land first AFC East blow?
Will De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert play on TNF?
The first two players to keep an eye on are Dolphins’ running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane. While Mostert has already been ruled out of tonight’s contest with a chest injury, Achane (ankle) has been labeled a game-time decision, but there is reportedly “optimism” Achane will be able to play.
Should Achane be unable to suit up, the Dolphins would turn to Jeff Wilson Jr. and fourth-round rookie Jaylen Wright. It is unclear who will be the lead back in this scenario. Wilson is listed ahead of Wright on the Dolphins’ depth chart, and Wright was a healthy scratch from last week’s tilt. That said, Wright’s big-play ability (he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash) could give him more playtime against a Bills’ defense that allowed James Conner to have a big day in Week 1.
Is Penei Sewell practicing?
Lions’ right tackle Penei Sewell suffered an ankle injury during the Week 1 contest against the Rams. He was listed as a non-participant at Wednesday’s practice. Not much is known regarding the severity of Sewell’s injury, but it is something to keep an eye on after he missed two straight practices.
Sewell’s absence could be detrimental to both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery’s rushing efficiency. At the very least, quarterback Jared Goff would have less time to throw, but considering Detroit’s Week 2 opponent, Tampa Bay, has a glaring weakness at edge rusher, it shouldn’t make too much of a difference.
A few injuries to watch in Colts-Packers
Colts wide receiver Josh Downs practiced for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain. Downs was a solid fantasy option last year with Gardner Minshew at quarterback for Indianapolis. Given Anthony Richardson’s unwillingness to throw the football, he is merely someone to keep an eye on and probably should not be rostered, especially given the addition of Adonai Mitchell to the Colts’ receiving room.
On the Packers’ side, both Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs are listed on the team’s injury report. Despite Love suffering what appeared to be a significant injury in the final moments of the team’s Week 1 contest, head coach Matt LaFleur refuses to dismiss the possibility of Love playing in Week 2. While it is still unlikely, there is reason for optimism for both Packers’ fans and Love owners. As for Jacobs, although he was a limited participant on Wednesday, there doesn’t appear to be any chance of him missing Sunday’s contest.
Christian McCaffrey to play?
Despite missing Week 1 with a nagging ankle injury, McCaffrey appears ready to go in Week 2. On Wednesday, McCaffrey told reporters “My mentality is I’m playing this week.” Against a stout Jets’ defense, McCaffrey’s backup Jordan Mason was able to tally nearly 150 yards on the ground. Imagine the damage McCaffrey could do against a weaker Vikings’ defense should he play.
Kenneth Walker could miss time?
Before departing Seattle’s Week 1 win over Denver with an oblique injury, Walker told reporters that he was “good.” However, Walker’s absence from Wednesday’s practice would indicate otherwise. Given that Seattle currently has one of the largest and longest injury reports in the NFL, and the success that backup Zach Charbonnet has experienced should incentivize the Seahawks not to rush Walker back.
New England remains a rather stout rush defense, regardless. Given Walker’s lack of volume in the Seahawks’ passing game and the fact that he could be on a limited snap count if he does play, there is reason to avoid putting him in your starting lineup if you are deep at running back.
Tee Higgins, Marquise Brown questionable for Chiefs-Bengals
Tee Higgins was at Bengals’ practice Wednesday and Thursday, but did not practice in full, instead working on the side with other injured players. Given Higgins’ history of playing with injury, the team could decide to give him limited snaps in a Week 2 return. Play him with caution if he is active.
On the Chiefs’ side, new receiver Marquise Brown is still waiting to make his Chiefs’ debut. He did not practice on Wednesday, but head coach Andy Reid informed reporters that he could still get cleared by Sunday’s game, but that he would need to practice at least once.
Regardless of Brown’s availability, it is clear that Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice were the focal points of the Chiefs’ offense in Week 1. That is unlikely to change if Brown is active.
NFL power rankings Week 2: Settled Cowboys soar while battered Packers don’t feel the (Jordan) Love