Key NFL Injuries Ahead of Week 2 Include A.J. Brown on IR and Multiple Skill Position Setbacks
Several teams report significant injuries as Week 2 approaches, highlighted by New England placing A.J. Brown on injured reserve and various wide receivers and running backs dealing with hamstring, ankle and wrist issues.
The New England Patriots placed wide receiver A.J. Brown on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain, ruling him out for at least four games and making him unavailable until Week 6. The move opens increased snap and route participation for Mack Hollins, while rookie Kyle Williams may see deeper-route opportunities.
In the AFC North, Baltimore’s Zay Flowers left the Colts win early due to a hamstring injury that was described as non-serious, and Ja’Kobi Lane suffered a fractured wrist that will keep him out for a significant period. Cleveland’s Dylan Sampson is expected to miss substantial time after a knee injury, prompting veteran Reheim Sanders to assume a change-of-pace role.
Houston placed rookie wideout Tank Dell on injured reserve and confirmed a torn ACL for Jayden Higgins, both sidelining them for multiple weeks. Indianapolis listed Alec Pierce as limited after ankle surgery, while Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. aggravated a shoulder injury but is expected to play in Week 2.
Los Angeles Chargers’ Ladd McConkey was labeled day-to-day with a rib injury, with his status to be confirmed before the Raiders matchup. The Dallas Cowboys placed running back Malik Davis on injured reserve for the season, leaving Javonte Williams as the primary back.
In the NFC, Detroit’s Isiah Pacheco began the season on injured reserve with a back issue, and Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list amid domestic-violence allegations, leaving MarShawn Lloyd as the interim lead back. Minnesota’s quarterback Kyler Murray left the Packers game with a concussion, and Carson Wentz is expected to start in Week 2.
Other notable updates include the Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers missing a game or two after meniscus surgery, San Francisco’s De’Zhaun Stribling out for at least a month with an ankle injury, and Seattle’s Zach Charbonnet starting the season on the PUP list, giving rookie Jadarian Price a larger role in the backfield.
These injury reports are expected to influence roster moves and fantasy football strategies as teams finalize their Week 2 lineups.