A player's injury status can have a significant effect on fantasy football — it can alter draft strategy, roster construction and, most importantly, it can determine start-or-sit decisions for your fantasy team.
Each week, I will comb through the official injury reports for each game and give updates and analysis for fantasy-relevant players. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.
Sunday, September 20th
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 1:00 PM ET
WR Chris Godwin, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR11 – Out (concussion)
Godwin suffered a concussion at the end of the game last week. He suffered delayed onset symptoms on Wednesday and was promptly put into the concussion protocol. Delayed onset symptoms typically have a return-to-play timeline of a week to multiple weeks. He had progressed in the protocol by Friday, and even got some practice work in, but he was ruled out for Week 2 on Saturday.
New York Giants @ Chicago Bears — 1:00 PM ET
WR Golden Tate, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR75 – Questionable (hamstring)
Tate was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. He was limited in practice last week too but didn’t suit up for the game. Tate should have a better shot at playing this week due to having another week to heal. He is expected to play but should be closely monitored heading into kickoff.
Atlanta Falcons @ Dallas Cowboys — 1:00 PM ET
WR Julio Jones, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR2 – Questionable (hamstring)
Jones was a limited participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. No need for concern; he will play in Week 2.
WR Amari Cooper, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR7 – Questionable (foot)
Cooper was limited in practice on Thursday and participated in Friday’s walkthroughs. He was not listed on the injury report on Wednesday, so this is something to keep an eye on. I expect Cooper to play in Week 2.
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers — 1:00 PM ET
WR Kenny Golladay, PFF Week 1 consensus rank: WR97 – Out (hamstring)
Golladay was listed as a non-participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. He didn’t practice or play in Week 1. Golladay will not play in Week 2.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans — 1:00 PM ET
WR A.J. Brown, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR95 – Out (knee)
Brown was a limited participant on Wednesday and couldn’t practice on Thursday or Friday due to a bone bruise. Return times range from a couple of days to multiple weeks. Brown will not play in Week 2.
RB Darrynton Evans, PFF Week 1 consensus rank: RB86 – Out (hamstring).
Evans was limited in practice on Thursday and did not practice on Friday. He was limited in practice last week but did not play Week 1. Evans will not play Week 2.
Minnesota Vikings @ Indianapolis Colts — 1:00 PM ET
WR Michael Pittman Jr., PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR88 – Questionable (toe)
Pittman was a limited participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. He is not expected to play Week 2.
Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins — 1:00 PM ET
WR DeVante Parker, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR39 – Questionable (hamstring)
Parker was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. Last week, he was limited Thursday but participated in full on Friday and ultimtely suited up for Week 1. He had to leave the contest due to reinjuring his hamstring, which is worrisome moving forward. The Dolphins should rest him until he is 100% healed or the injury will continue to linger. It sounds like Parker will play in Week 2, but he is an extremely risky play.
San Francisco 49ers @ New York Jets — 1:00 PM ET
WR Deebo Samuel, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: N/A – Out (foot)
Samuel was put on IR during Week 1. He will miss at least Week 2 and Week 3.
TE George Kittle, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: TE3 – Out (knee)
Kittle has missed practice all week. The 49ers are resting him to help bring the swelling down caused by a bone bruise. Return-to-play times range from a couple of days to multiple weeks. Kittle has been ruled out for Week 2.
RB Lamical Perine, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: RB79 – Questionable (ankle)
Perine was a limited participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. He is trending in the right direction for making his debut in Week 2.
WR Jamison Crowder, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR74 – Out (hamstring)
Crowder injured his hamstring on a touchdown catch in Week 1 and didn’t practice on Thursday or Friday. Crowder will not play in Week 2.
Los Angeles Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles — 1:00 PM ET
TE Gerald Everett, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: TE30 – Questionable (back)
Everett was a limited participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. He is expected to play in Week 2.
WR Alshon Jeffery, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: N/A – Questionable (foot)
Jeffery is still recovering from Lisfranc surgery. He is expected to be ready before Week 7.
Denver Broncos @ Pittsburgh Steelers – 1:00 PM ET
WR Courtland Sutton, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR96 – Questionable (shoulder)
Sutton did not play in Week 1 but was a limited participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. He is trending in the right direction, but he needs to be monitored closely heading into kick off. The Broncos are saying he will be a game-time decision.
RB Phillip Lindsay, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: RB88 – Out (toe)
Lindsey exited the game last week due to a turf toe injury. He did not practice on Thursday or Friday; he will not play in Week 2.
Washington Football Team @ Arizona Cardinals — 4:05 PM ET
N/A
Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers — 4:25 PM ET
RB Justin Jackson, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: RB85 – Questionable (quad)
Jackson injured his quadriceps in the game last week and did not practice on Thursday or Friday. I do not expect Jackson to play in Week 2.
Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans — 4:25 PM ET
RB Duke Johnson Jr., PFF Week 2 consensus rank: RB76 – Questionable (ankle)
Johnson was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday. He was trending in the right direction, but he is not expected to suit up in Week 2.
New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks — 8:20 PM ET
WR Julian Edelman, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR26 – Questionable (knee)
Edelman was a limited participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. He played in Week 1 despite being limited last Thursday and a full participant last Friday. He will play in Week 2.
WR N’Keal Harry, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR53 – Questionable (shoulder)
Harry was a limited participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. Last week, he was a full participant Friday but showed up on the injury report and played in Week 1. He is expected to play Week 2.
WR Phillip Dorsett, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR116 – Questionable (foot)
Dorsett was a limited participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. After missing out in Week 1, he is trending in the right direction and is expected to suit up for Week 2.
RB Rashaad Penny, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: N/A – Out (knee)
Penny was put on the active/PUP list while he recovers from ACL surgery. He will miss the first six games of the season.
Monday, September 21
New Orleans Saints @ Las Vegas Raiders — 8:15 PM ET
WR Michael Thomas, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR1 – Out (ankle)
Thomas suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 and sat out of practice on Thursday and Friday. The return-to-play timeline ranges from three days to threes-plus weeks. The risk of playing is not further injury but ineffectiveness on the field. He was ruled out for Week 2 on Saturday. This is the correct move by the Saints; he will have another week to treat his high ankle sprain.
WR Henry Ruggs III, PFF Week 2 consensus rank: WR32 – Questionable (knee)
Ruggs injured his knee in Week 1 but came back and finished the game. He missed practice on Thursday and Friday and even practiced during the portion open to the media. He is trending in the right direction but needs to be closely monitored leading up to kick off.
Mario Pilato has a master's degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science, along with eight years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, including at the collegiate and NFL level. His injury analysis articles will appear weekly.
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