NFL Week 2 Injury Report and Analysis

Sep 16th 2022

Sosa Kremenjas

Week 2 of the NFL season has arrived. This week's injury reports have dropped, with practice participation for Wednesday and Thursday available to be evaluated.

Let's dive into the most questionable players in Week 2.

All stats are sourced from PFF and Sports Info Solutions.

Baltimore Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins

Practice participation: FP, FP

Injury: knee

Although it hasn't yet been announced, it appears Dobbins will be good to make his return to the field for the first time since suffering a torn ACL last August. This is great news, though we shouldn't necessarily be chomping at the bit to launch Dobbins into our fantasy football lineups.

All things considered, the Ravens deployed a "true" running back by committee approach in Week 1. Of course, Dobbins was inactive last week, so the numbers may be a bit skewed. But nevertheless, this is a team that won't just toss Dobbins right into a workhorse-like load.

It's been a while since Dobbins last saw the field, but in 2020, he topped over 40 snaps just three times. He actually didn't top 15 rushing attempts even once that season and had just two games with four or more targets.

While Dobbins is undoubtedly the most talented back on the roster, the Ravens are much more likely to bring him along slowly. It's tough to predict exactly what the Ravens may deploy, but we can likely expect some early down rushing work for Dobbins. Kenyan Drake should continue to factor in as an early down substitute back who will also moonlight as the pass-down back.

Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman

Practice participation: LP, DNP

Injury: quad

The Colts could be in major trouble if Pittman doesn't go this week. Outside of Jonathan Taylor, Pittman was basically the team's only source of consistent offense in Week 1. The stud receiver logged 90 out of 92 snaps and demanded a dominant 26.0% target share. Of course, he was productive with those opportunities, too — he reeled in nine of 13 targets for 121 yards and one touchdown.

If Pittman isn't able to suit up, Indianapolis will need to rely on some trio consisting of Ashton Dulin, Parris Campbell, and Alec Pierce, who is also currently questionable with a concussion.

The Colts could even elect to shift their offensive identity. Going back to Week 1, Indy played in 11 personnel the fifth-most among all offenses. Meanwhile, they played in 21 personnel the fourth-most last week. Nyheim Hines also ranked second on the team with six targets. If they're short for receiving production, they could elect to deploy both Taylor and Hines in unique formations that'll allow for easy completions and production for Hines.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WRs Julio Jones and Mike Evans

Practice participation (Jones): DNP, DNP

Injury: knee

Practice participation (Evans): LP, DNP

Injury: calf

Death, taxes, and Jones getting banged up. It's an absolute shame, but one of the great receivers of our generation has logged back-to-back DNP's and looks like he could be in trouble of missing this week. In addition to Jones, Chris Godwin (hamstring) is likely going to sit, and Evans is questionable, too.

Godwin was hurt in Week 1 and didn't return to the contest. His absence likely made way for Russell Gage and Breshad Perriman to scoop up more work. It will be interesting to see how things develop if either Jones or Evans misses time.

Going back to Week 1, both of them registered the majority of their snaps out wide. Jones was lined up out there on 63.6% of his snaps, while Evans was out there for 60.9% of his. Thinking logically, Perriman and Gage would likely play in two-receiver sets on the boundary, and then Jaelon Darden could rotate into the lineup as the No. 3 wide receiver.

For now, Jones looks to be more uncertain than Evans.

New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara

Practice participation: LP, DNP

Injury: ribs

It's never a good thing when a player goes from participating in practice to not. Through two days, Kamara has followed that exact trend. That doesn't necessarily mean he's not going to play — perhaps the Saints are just playing it safe. But, it's not a good sign and the star running back is trending in the wrong direction.

It doesn't take a genius to know Mark Ingram would be next in position to inherit an increase in snaps and opportunities. Ingram played 20 snaps in comparison to Kamara's 38 in Week 1. The only other running back to handle a snap was Tony Jones Jr., and he played just one snap.

In the event Kamara is sidelined, Ingram would likely get the vast majority of the rushing work, while some of the receiving work would be split between Ingram, Jones Jr., and maybe even veteran Latavius Murray. There is no reason to panic just yet with Kamara's status, but if you are rostering Kamara anywhere, it might make sense to add Ingram for this week.

New York Giants WR Kadarius Toney

Practice participation: -, LP

Injury: knee, hamstring

Tony initially didn't appear on the injury report on Wednesday, though he did find his way onto the report on Thursday as a limited participant. As of now, there probably isn't any reason to question his availability, but Toney struggled with injuries as a rookie, had a knee issue during training camp, and is now once again dinged up. There are certainly durability concerns.

In Week 1, Toney played just seven snaps, had one rushing attempt that went for 23 yards, and wasn't targeted. He was out-snapped by Kenny Golladay, Richie James Jr., Wan'Dale Robinson, David Sills, and Sterling Shepard. We don't have official word on why, but it does look like Toney is in the doghouse for an unknown reason.

This week, Toney could be in-line for a similar workload, though nobody really knows. What we do know is Toney is an electric receiver and one of the great yards-after-the-catch (YAC) players in football. If the Giants are looking for an infusion of talent in their offense, Toney should see more snaps.

The one issue is Toney lined up in the slot on 60.1% of his snaps last year. He lined up out wide on 38.1% of his snaps. Over the course of his career, Shepard has lined up in the slot on 64.6% of his snaps. Both players are talented and versatile, though both guys have also primarily operated out of the slot. If Toney doesn't go due to injury, expect Shepard to see a lot of time in the slot with Kenny Golladay on the boundary. If Toney is able to suit up, it remains to be seen what kind of role he'll have, but we have to expect he'll get more work than the measly seven snaps he got last week.

Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins

Practice participation: LP, DNP

Injury: concussion

Higgins is the last name to make this list. The star receiver suffered a concussion in Week 1 and didn't return to the contest. Making way, second-year receiver Ja'Marr Chase logged 100 snaps and veteran Tyler Boyd secured 80 snaps. Mike Thomas was the main beneficiary with Higgins sidelined, scooping up 69 snaps of his own while Higgins managed just 26.

While Thomas would be ensured a starting spot in three-receiver sets and a boatload of snaps, he probably shouldn't be a starting option in fantasy leagues. Much of the leftover work was funneled to Chase (15 targets), Joe Mixon (eight), Hayden Hurst (seven), and Boyd (seven).

Higgins was a DNP for personal reasons on Thursday and his limited participation on Wednesday was a good sign for his availability this weekend. We should expect Higgins to be good to play, but that isn't concrete. In the event he's out, Boyd suddenly moves into rock-solid FLEX territory. Otherwise, he may be best served on the bench.

Biggest non-skill position injuries to monitor:

BAL LT Ronnie Stanley (ankle) - LP, DNP

BAL CB Marcus Peters (knee) - LP, FP

BAL CB Marlon Humphrey (groin) - -, LP

MIA LT Terron Armstead (toe) - DNP (rest), LP

CLE RT Jack Conklin (knee) - LP, DNP

IND LB Shaquille Leonard (back) - FP, FP

IND DT DeForest Buckner (hip) - DNP, DNP

TB RT Tristan Wirfs (abdomen) - LP, LP

NO DE Cameron Jordan (hip) - LP, LP

WAS DT Jonathan Allen (groin) - LP, LP

DET C Frank Ragnow (groin, foot) - DNP, DNP

ARI DE JJ Watt (calf) - DNP, LP

GB RT Elgton Jenkins (knee) - LP, LP

GB LT David Bakhtiari (knee) - LP, DNP