Week 2 Essential NFL Practice News & Notes for Thursday
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) took full practice reps again Thursday. HC Ron Rivera said that Newton would start this week against the Lions.
Cardinals QB Carson Palmer (right shoulder) took limited practice reps again Thursday. Palmer should be fine to face the Giants.
Cowboys QB Tony Romo (back) took full practice reps again Thursday. Romo’s back will be a concern all season, but it’s a good sign that he has put in back-to-back full practices.
Colts RB Ahmad Bradshaw (not injury related) took limited practice reps Thursday. Bradshaw will get rest throughout the season. He should be fine to play in Week 2.
Lions RB Reggie Bush (knee) took full practice reps Thursday after being limited Wednesday. There are concerns about Bush’s knee, but the full practice means that he’s on track to play in Week 2.
Cardinals RB Andre Ellington (foot) missed practice again Thursday. Get used to seeing Ellington with mid-week rest until his foot heals completely. The Cardinals are very encouraged by his progress thus far.
Texans RB Arian Foster (ribs) took full practice reps again Thursday. Foster was used heavily in Week 1 and has a nice matchup against the Raiders in Week 2.
Jaguars RB Toby Gerhart (ankle) returned to limited practice reps Thursday after missing Wednesday practice. Gerhart is on track to start against the Redskins.
Jaguars RB Storm Johnson (ankle) missed practice Thursday after taking limited reps Wednesday.
Raiders RB Maurice Jones-Drew (hand) missed practice again Thursday. The Raiders are tight-lipped about injuries but it appears that MJD is in danger of missing Week 2. Darren McFadden would carry the load with Latavius Murray serving as the change-of-pace back.
Packers RB Eddie Lacy (concussion) returned to full practice reps Thursday after missing Wednesday. Lacy has been cleared to play against the Jets in Week 2. It’s a tough matchup.
Buccaneers RB Doug Martin (knee) did not practice Wednesday. He did however practice in some fashion on Thursday. Martin is on track to play in Week 2 against the Rams.
Seahawks RB Christine Michael (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday.
Dolphins RB Knowshon Moreno (shoulder) took limited practice reps again Thursday. 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 on Friday.
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (not injury related) was added to the injury report Thursday after missing practice. Peterson was just getting a day off. He’ll be fine to face the Patriots in Week 2.
Eagles RB Chris Polk (hamstring) took full practice reps Thursday.
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.
Chiefs RB DeAnthony Thomas (hamstring) missed practice again Thursday. Thomas missed Week 1 and Week 2 isn’t looking good, either.
Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (thigh) was added to the injury report Thursday after missing practice. Mid-week downgrades are usually a bad sign, but we’ll see what kind of work he can put in on Friday. Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert would pick up the slack if Williams can’t play against the Lions. Stewart would be a RB3/flex type (with upside) with Williams out.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen (ribs) practiced fully Wednesday. He should be fine for a tough matchup against the Seahawks.
Giants WR Odell Beckham (hamstring) missed practice again Thursday. 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) took full practice reps again Thursday. Bowe is returning from suspension and should be good to go to face the Broncos.
Bengals WR A.J. Green (foot) missed practice Thursday after taking limited reps Wednesday. This could be a maintenance day, but his practice activity on Friday will be important.
Chiefs WR Frankie Hammond (shoulder) took full practice reps again Thursday.
Chiefs WR Junior Hemingway (hip) took full practice reps again Thursday.
Bills WR Chris Hogan (ankle) was added to the injury report Thursday after taking full practice reps.
Eagles WR Josh Huff (shoulder) missed practice Thursday.
Titans WR Justin Hunter (knee) took full practice reps Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Hunter was first reported as limited on Thursday but was upgraded to full. After leading the Titans in targets in Week 1, he’s a tasty start against a very shaky Dallas pass defense.
Bears WR Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. Jeffery is looking pretty iffy for Week 2. He was unable to play through the injury in Week 1, so he may be less likely to play than Brandon Marshall, who was able to finish the game.
Texans WR Andre Johnson (ankle) took limited practice reps again Thursday. Johnson 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 full practice reps Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Lee’s return to practice is encouraging, especially with Shorts being out. It looks like Lee and Allen Hurns will start against the Redskins.
Bears WR Brandon Marshall (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. Marshall didn’t sound confident about practicing on Friday either. He typically plays through nagging injuries, so we’re tentatively expecting him to suit up against the 49ers, especially with Alshon Jeffery nursing a hamstring injury.
Bears WR Josh Morgan (groin) took limited practice reps Wednesday.
Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring) missed practice Thursday after taking limited reps Wednesday. Shorts looks unlikely to play in Week 2.
Eagles WR Brad Smith (groin) took full practice reps Thursday.
Saints WR Kenny Stills (quadricep) took limited practice reps again Thursday. Stills didn’t play last week after being downgraded to DNP on Thursday, so this is a good sign for his Week 2 availability.
Dolphins WR Mike Wallace (hamstring) took limited practice reps again Thursday. Wallace played through the injury in Week 1. He should be fine to face the Bills.
Bills WR Sammy Watkins (ribs) took full practice reps again Thursday. Watkins isn’t 100 percent, but he’s going to continue to play through the injury.
Colts WR Reggie Wayne (not injury related) missed practice Thursday. Wayne was just getting a day of rest.
Falcons WR Roddy White (knee) took limited practice reps again Thursday. White says he’s “good to go” and “feeling really good” after the limited practice.
Cowboys WR Terrance Williams (back) took full practice reps again Thursday. Williams should be fine to face the Titans.
Packers TE Brandon Bostick (fibula) took limited practice reps again Thursday. 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) missed practice again Thursday. Cameron is looking iffy for Week 2.
Dolphins TE Charles Clay (knee) took limited practice reps again Thursday. 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) returned to full practice reps Thursday after missing 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) missed practice again Thursday.
Chargers TE Antonio Gates (hamstring) took limited practice reps Wednesday. The Chargers are probably just letting their veteran TE rest. He looked fine on Monday night.
Texans TE Garrett Graham (back) took limited practice reps again Thursday. 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 again Thursday. Gronk should be fine to face the Vikings in Week 2. The Patriots need to win this week, badly.
Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (knee) took full practice reps Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Lewis should be good to go for a Week 2 date with the Redskins.
Panthers TE Greg Olsen (not injury related) was added to the injury report Thursday after missing practice. Olsen left practice to be with his son, who recently had heart surgery. Per HC Ron Rivera, Olsen is expected to play in Week 2.
Lions TE Brandon Pettigrew (foot) took full practice reps Thursday after being limited Wednesday.
Redskins TE Jordan Reed (hamstring) missed practice again Thursday. 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 looks iffy for Week 2. Brandon Myers would get the start if ASJ is sidelined.
Redskins K Kai Forbath (right groin) was added to the injury report Thursday after taking limited practice reps.
