Week 2 Essential NFL Practice News & Notes for Wednesday
Rams QB Shaun Hill (thigh) did not practice Wednesday. Hill’s quad injury may keep him out of Week 2. If that’s the case, Austin Davis would get the start, making the Buccaneers defense a great streaming option.
Panthers QB Cam Newton (ribs) practiced fully Wednesday. HC Ron Rivera said that Newton would start this week against the Lions.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (not injury related, probable) practiced fully Wednesday. No worries here.
Cowboys QB Tony Romo (back) practiced fully Wednesday. Romo’s back will be a concern all season, but it’s a good sign that he’s practicing fully on a Wednesday.
Steelers RB Dri Archer (ankle, knee, out) did not practice Wednesday. Archer has been ruled out for Week 2.
Steelers RB LeVeon Bell (not injury related, probable) practiced fully Wednesday. Bell is good to go for a tough matchup against the Ravens.
Lions RB Reggie Bush (knee) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Bush has had knee problems throughout his career. We’ll keep an eye on his practice activity this week, but at this point, we’re expecting him to play.
Texans RB Arian Foster (ribs) practiced fully Wednesday. Foster was used heavily in Week 1 and has a nice matchup against the Raiders in Week 2.
Jaguars RB Toby Gerhart (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. Gerhart played through the injury, so the Jaguars are probably just giving him a day off to rest and heal.
Jaguars RB Storm Johnson (ankle) took limited practice reps Wednesday.
Packers RB Eddie Lacy (concussion) did not practice Wednesday. Lacy is working his way through the league’s concussion protocol and should suit up in Week 2. It’s not a good matchup against the Jets, who are historically stingy against the run. James Starks would get the start if Lacy can't go, but he's expected to be active.
Buccaneers RB Doug Martin (knee) did not practice Wednesday. It’s early in the week, but Martin is tentatively expected to play against the Rams. Bobby Rainey would get the start if Martin can’t go.
Dolphins RB Knowshon Moreno (shoulder) took limited practice reps Wednesday. This is a new injury for Moreno, but isn’t much of a concern at this point since he was able to participate in limited fashion. We’ll monitor his activity this week.
Browns RB Ben Tate (knee) was ruled out for Week 2. Tate is reportedly going to miss 2-4 weeks with a sprained knee. Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell were both impressive on Sunday, but West gets the starting nod after being ahead of Crowell all offseason. He is a fantasy RB2 this week against a so-so Saints rush defense. Crowell is a RB3/flex type.
Chiefs RB DeAnthony Thomas (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. Thomas missed Week 1 and Week 2 isn’t off to a better start.
Giants WR Odell Beckham (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. Beckham looks doubtful at this point to face the Cardinals. Jerrel Jernigan will continue to hold some value, but the Giants’ passing game is a mess right now.
Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe (quadricep) practiced fully Wednesday. Bowe is returning from suspension and should be good to go to face the Broncos.
Steelers WR Antonio Brown (not injury related, probable) practiced fully Wednesday. Brown is in for a Thursday night matchup against the Ravens.
Steelers WR Martavis Bryant (shoulder, probable) practiced fully Wednesday. Bryant looks like he’ll make his debut on Thursday.
Bengals WR A.J. Green (foot) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Green’s injury doesn’t appear to be serious, but we’ll monitor his practice activity this week. It’s a good sign that he was even limited at this point in the week.
Chiefs WR Frankie Hammond (shoulder) practiced fully Wednesday.
Chiefs WR Junior Hemingway (hip) practiced fully Wednesday.
Titans WR Justin Hunter (knee) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Hunter should be able to play in Week 2, though we’ll know more later in the week. The Tennessee offense looks to be a good bet to produce against a very shaky Cowboys defense. Hunter led the team in targets in Week 1.
Bears WR Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. Jeffery could not return after injuring his hamstring in Week 1. He’s a player we’re watching closely this week.
Texans WR Andre Johnson (ankle) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Johnson being active at practice at all given his veteran status. He should be fine to face the Raiders.
Bengals WR Marvin Jones (foot) was ruled out for Week 2. Jones’ foot is still healing. He’s expected back in Week 5.
Jaguars WR Marqise Lee (hamstring) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Lee reportedly couldn’t finish practice after injuring his hamstring. Week 1 star Allen Hurns is looking like an attractive start if Lee and/or Cecil Shorts can’t play against the Redskins.
Bears WR Brandon Marshall (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. Marshall said that he would be ready to face the 49ers in Week 2, but we’ll still keep an eye on his practice activity this week.
Steelers WR Lance Moore (groin, out) did not practice Wednesday. Moore is out again so look for Justin Brown to handle WR3 duties against the Ravens.
Bears WR Josh Morgan (groin) took limited practice reps Wednesday.
Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Shorts’ return this early in the week indicates that he’s on track to play in Week 2.
Saints WR Kenny Stills (quadricep) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Stills didn’t play last week after being limited on Wednesday, so this doesn’t necessarily mean he’s on track to play in Week 2. Stay tuned.
Dolphins WR Mike Wallace (hamstring) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Wallace played through the injury in Week 1 and the fact that he was even limited on Wednesday is a good sign for his Week 2 availability.
Bills WR Sammy Watkins (ribs) practiced fully Wednesday. Watkins should be fine to face the Dolphins after a quiet NFL debut against the Bears.
Steelers WR Markus Wheaton (not injury related, probable) practiced fully Wednesday. Wheaton will try to follow up a good Week 1 performance against the Ravens on Thursday night.
Falcons WR Roddy White (knee) took limited practice reps Wednesday. White played through the injury against the Saints, so we’re expecting him to play in Week 2.
Cowboys WR Terrance Williams (back) practiced fully Wednesday. Williams should be fine to face the Titans in Week 2.
Packers TE Brandon Bostick (fibula) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Bostick is back in the mix. Richard Rodgers didn’t do much against the Seahawks and Andrew Quarless is a replacement level talent. This is a murky situation at this point.
Browns TE Jordan Cameron (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday. Cameron is considered “day-to-day” per HC Mike Pettine. It sounds as if he could play this week.
Dolphins TE Charles Clay (knee) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Clay should be fine to face the Bills. He has struggled against the Patriots in recent matchups, but should bounce back against Buffalo.
Jets TE Jeff Cumberland (not injury related) did not practice Wednesday.
Bengals TE Tyler Eifert (elbow) was ruled out for Week 2. Eifert isn’t eligible to return before Week 10, so it’s Jermaine Gresham’s show now. Gresham was #14 and #10 in 2011 and 2012, before Eifert’s arrival. He doesn’t hold much upside, but he offers baseline production.
Texans TE C.J. Fiedorowicz (foot) did not practice Wednesday.
Texans TE Garrett Graham (back) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Graham is back in the fold, it appears. If he can play, he’ll have a nice matchup this week against the Raiders.
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (knee) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Gronk should be fine to face the Vikings in Week 2. The Patriots need to win this week, badly.
Jaguars TE Clay Harbor (calf) did not practice Wednesday.
Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (knee) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Lewis should be able to face the Redskins. He’s usually available on the waiver wire and offers stable production given the amount of snaps he sees as the Jaguars’ TE1.
Steelers TE Heath Miller (not injury related, probable) practiced fully Wednesday. Miller is good to go for the Ravens on Thursday Night Football.
Lions TE Brandon Pettigrew (foot) took limited practice reps Wednesday.
Redskins TE Jordan Reed (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. Reed is likely out for Week 2, at least, though HC Jay Gruden called the strain “minor.” Niles Paul stepped up in Week 1 and could take over Reed’s “move” TE role in Jay Gruden’s offense. Don’t expect Reed-type numbers, but Paul could be serviceable in a pinch. Logan Paulsen is more of a blocking tight end.
Buccaneers TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. Seferian-Jenkins has a walking boot on the same foot in which he had a stress fracture back in February. Stay tuned.
