• Elijah Mitchell could miss multiple weeks after injuring his knee in the San Francisco 49ers' Week 1 matchup with the Chicago Bears.
• Mac Jones underwent X-rays for a back injury, but they came back negative. Mario Pilato believes he will be ready for Week 2.
• Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen suffered what appears to be a hamstring strain and will likely have to sit out multiple weeks.
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An NFL player's injury status can have a significant effect on both real-life and fantasy football. Maybe most importantly at this time of year — at least for some — is that injuries heavily influence fantasy football rankings and start/sit decisions.
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BUF@LAR | BAL@NYJ | NO@ATL | NE@MIA | CLE@CAR | PIT@CIN
SF@CHI | PHI@DET | IND@HST | JAX@WSH | KC@ARZ | LVR@LAC
GB@MIN | NYG@TEN | TB@DAL
Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams
Rams running back Kyren Williams suffered a high-ankle sprain early in the season opener against the Bills. He is undergoing surgery and is likely to miss 6-8 weeks. This leads me to believe he is receiving the popular tightrope procedure because the average recovery for a screw is 4.7 months.
Baltimore Ravens @ New York Jets
N/A
New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons
Falcons running back Damien Williams injured his ribs at the start of the game. He ended up returning in the fourth quarter. I do not believe he will miss Week 2.
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones received X-rays on his back, but they turned up negative. He likely felt the numerous hits he absorbed in this game. I believe he will be ready for Week 2.
Cleveland Browns @ Carolina Panthers
N/A
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals
Steelers running back Najee Harris left the game during the fourth quarter. He suffered a Lisfranc sprain in the preseason, and video replay showed a risk of re-injury or a high-ankle sprain. The worst-case scenario is a Lisfranc injury and surgery. If it is a high-ankle sprain, the average return to play is 4-6 weeks, and players usually aren’t the same the rest of the year. Reports have indicated he should be fine for Week 2. If true, then he was extremely lucky. I wouldn’t be shocked if he misses time.
Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins suffered a head injury in the second quarter and was quickly ruled out with a concussion. He will be placed into the five-step concussion protocol, and his progress will have to be monitored throughout the week.
San Francisco 49ers @ Chicago Bears
49ers running back Elijah Mitchell injured his knee and left the contest in the second quarter. He was seen with a bulky knee brace after the game. I believe he suffered an MCL sprain — likely a Grade 2 or worse. Grade 2 return to play is 3-6 weeks.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Detroit Lions
N/A
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
N/A
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Washington Commanders
N/A
Kansas City Chiefs @ Arizona Cardinals
N/A
Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen suffered a hamstring strain in the second quarter. Return to play will depend on the severity of the strain. Grade 1 is 1-3 weeks, Grade 2 is 4-8 weeks and Grade 3 is 2-3 months. There is a 20% recurrence rate, so the Chargers would be wise to hold him out until he is completely healthy. I believe he will miss multiple weeks.
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings
N/A
New York Giants @ Tennessee Titans
Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and did not return to the game. I believe he is dealing with a minor knee sprain. I do not expect him to miss much time.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys
Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin suffered a hamstring strain in the second quarter and did not return. This is not a shocking development, as the team rushed him back from a multi-ligament injury in just eight months. Godwin’s body was likely not ready to handle that demand. I believe Tampa Bay will now take its time and he will miss multiple weeks.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a thumb injury at the end of his team's Sunday Night Football outing. He is undergoing surgery to fix the fracture and will miss six to eight weeks.