nfl fantasy week 2 injury report rob gronkowski start sit who's in out patriots
Week 2 should be a hot one in the NFL, as we move into a weekend of divisional rivalries and games that might be too close to call. Whether you're looking for updates on the most important players on your favorite team or trying to set your fantasy roster for Sunday, here are the 20 biggest injuries to keep an eye on. Keep coming back until the start of each game, and we'll give you each player's up-to-date status.
(Note: If a high-profile player does not appear below, that means he was not listed on his team's injury report and should be expected to play on Sunday. The NFL also removed the "probable" designation from injury reports this year; players are either "out," "doubtful," or "questionable.")
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots (hamstring)
Status: Questionable
The latest: In true Patriots fashion, coach Bill Belichick didn't reveal much about Gronk's status as New England wrapped up practice this week. He returned to practice but was limited in his time on the field. -- Mark Ortega, NFL.com
J.J. Watt, DE, Texans (back)
Status: Questionable
The latest: Watt was a limited participant in practice earlier this week, but it appears as though Houston is simply being cautious as the 2015 Defensive Player of the Year continues to recover from multiple offseason surgeries. Watt said he feels fine, and he is expected to start against the Chiefs. -- Houston Chronicle
Chris Ivory, RB, Jaguars (general illness)
Status: Out
The latest: Despite being discharged from the hospital after missing Week 1 with an undisclosed medical situation, Ivory was ruled out for Week 2 by the Jaguars. T.J. Yeldon will start in Ivory's place. -- Jaguars.com
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos (hip)
Status: Questionable
The latest: Thomas suffered a sore hip early in Denver's season-opening win against the Panthers, and he will be a game-time decision for the Broncos in Week 2.“I would never suit up a guy if I didn’t assume he could do what he always does,” coach Gary Kubiak said on Friday. “You may have play counts and those types of things, but if you can play, you can play. Hopefully, we can get [him] to that point.” -- Nick Groke, Denver Post
Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles (rib)
Status: Out
The latest: Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Saturday that Ertz (as well as CB Leodis McKelvin) will miss Monday's game against the Bears with a rib displacement he suffered in Week 1 against the Browns. Trey Burton will reportedly replace Ertz. -- Jeremy Bergman, NFL.com
Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs (knee)
Status: Doubtful
The latest: Like last week, Charles is listed as doubtful as he looks to return from a right ACL tear suffered in October, according to Chiefs coach Andy Reid. Spencer Ware would once again start in Charles' place if he is unable to go. -- Terez Paylor, Kansas City Star
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Giants (shoulder)
Status: Questionable
The latest: The Giants did not practice Friday, but coach Ben McAdoo told reporters that Pierre-Paul would have been held out. "If we would have had practice today, he would not have practiced," McAdoo said. "We'll take a look at him tomorrow, when we have an opportunity to get out on the field and practice." -- James Kratch, NJ.com
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers (ankle)
Status: Questionable
The latest: Although Stewart is listed as questionable, coach Ron Rivera told reporters Friday that he expects the running back to play against the 49ers on Sunday. -- Joseph Person, Charlotte Observer
Arian Foster, RB, Dolphins (hamstring)
Status: Questionable
The latest: The Dolphins held Foster out of practice on Wednesday, which will reportedly be the case for the rest of the season as Miami tries to keep its No. 1 running back healthy. He was listed as questionable on the team's injury report but is expected to be ready to go against the Patriots. -- Jason Lieser, Palm Beach Post
Dont'a Hightower, LB, Patriots (knee)
Status: Doubtful
The latest: Hightower missed practice all week after injuring his knee against in the Patriots' season-opening win over the Cardinals. He is unlikely to play Sunday against Miami, which could mean a big fantasy day for the aforementioned Arian Foster, assuming he's healthy. -- Doug Kyed, NESN.com
Robert Mathis, LB, Colts (foot)
Status: Questionable
The latest: Mathis reportedly wore a protective boot on his foot in practice this week for what he told reporters is a "toe issue." He also said that he's not concerned about it affecting his ability to play Sunday. However, if he's unable to go, the Colts could have problems; Trent Cole, Mathis' backup, is doubtful as well (back injury). -- Derek Schultz, FOX Sports Radio
Patrick Robinson, CB, Colts (concussion)
Status: Out
The latest: The problem for the Colts isn't any single injury; instead, Indianapolis is facing a pileup of health issues this week. Beyond Mathis and Robinson, who was ruled out of the Colts' Week 2 game against the Broncos, Indy will be without CB Vontae Davis (ankle) and S T.J. Green, while CB Antonio Cromartie (hamstring) and S Clayton Geathers (personal reasons) are questionable too. -- Colts.com
Anthony Davis, OT, 49ers, (concussion)
Status: Out
The latest: Davis was involved in a weird "miscommunication" this week, when reports leaked that he might be considering retirement. San Francisco had planned to use Davis at guard this year, but the 49ers moved him to backup tackle for their season opener against the Rams. He suffered a concussion in practice on Thursday and will miss Sunday's game against the Panthers. -- Matt Barrows, Sacramento Bee
Joey Bosa, DE, Chargers (hamstring)
Status: Out
The latest: Bosa reportedly has yet to practice in full pads since ending his contract holdout in late August. He will not play in Week 2, and there's no guarantee he will be available for Week 3, either. -- Jeremy Bergman, NFL.com
Germain Ifedi, OL, Seahawks (ankle)
Status: Out
The latest: Seattle's porous offensive line will be without its rookie lineman for the second straight week after Ifedi tackle suffered a sprained ankle during a practice earlier this month. He is expected to miss three weeks, which would mean a likely return for Week 4, although Seattle continues to hold out hope that he will return sooner; coach Pete Carroll told reporters this week that Ifedi is making "good progress." Meanwhile, QB Russell Wilson (ankle) will play in Week 2. -- Seahawks.com
DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins (hamstring)
Status: Questionable
The latest: You're probably not playing Parker in fantasy unless you're in a deep league, but just in case, know that the Dolphins WR will almost certainly be a game-time decision after missing practice all this week. Parker sat out Miami's Week 1 loss to the Seahawks. -- Jason Lieser, Palm Beach Post
Mario Williams, DE, Dolphins (concussion)
Status: Questionable
The latest: On the other side of the ball, Miami could be without Williams as he works his way through the NFL's concussion protocol. The Dolphins DE did return to practice on Friday, and coach Adam Gase told reporters while Williams hasn't fully cleared protocol, the team expects him to play Sunday. If he plays, Patriots QB Jimmy Garoppolo could have his work cut out for him against the Miami pass rush. -- Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
Evan Mathis, G, Cardinals (foot)
Status: Questionable
The latest: Mathis did not practice on Wednesday, and coach Bruce Arians said that the right guard is day-to-day headed into the Cardinals' meeting with the Bucs this week. If Mathis can't go, Earl Watford will start in his place. Fantasy players couting on RB David Johnson should keep an eye on Mathis' availability. There is some good news for Arizona, as the secondary looks to be healthy for the first time in months, and WR Larry Fitzgerald (knee) was not listed on the team's injury report after being limited in practice this week. -- Craig Grialou, Arizona Sports
Sam Shields, CB, Packers (concussion)
Status: Doubtful
The latest: Shields suffered his second concussion in the past nine months during the fourth quarter of Green Bay's win over Jacksonville last week. He met with team doctors on Friday but is unlikely to clear concussion protocol before Sunday's game against the Vikings. “That's what the protocol is for,” coach Mike McCarthy said Friday. “So everything is part of the analysis of each player's injury, so history, all those things are factored in.” -- Rob Demovsky, ESPN.com
Brooks Reed, DE, Falcons (shoulder)
Status: Questionable
The latest: Reed missed practice Wednesday and Thursday before returning in a limited role on Friday. Atlanta coach Dan Quinn told reporters that Reed has "made a lot of progress" since hurting his shoulder in Week 1 against the Bucs. He should be a game-time decision, although the Falcons could decide on his status as early as Saturday afternoon. -- Vaughn McClure, ESPN.com