RADIO
It may only be Week 2, but fantasy managers have plenty of players to worry about on the injury report. Some key players are already considered unlikely to play two days from gameday, while others are still on the fence. Our injury updates and reports for Week 2 as of Friday, September 13, 2024, will give you the latest updates on key guys.
As always, some players have more "real" risk of missing Week 2 than others, but things change quickly, so it's important to stay up to date. Christian McCaffrey, A.J. Brown, Kenneth Walker III, Jordan Love, and more are in danger of missing Week 2. Fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the updates for some top fantasy assets at all positions and see whether they may play in Week 2.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Christian McCaffrey Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf, Achilles) has been ruled out as of this afternoon for his Week 2 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. The top pick in many fantasy drafts already missed Week 1 after last-minute injury news on Monday night and reports earlier in the week seemed to indicate the veteran RB likely would not play.
49ers ruled out RB Christian McCaffrey for Sunday’s game vs. the Vikings due to his calf injury and Achilles tendonitis. pic.twitter.com/qAcOOolime
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 13, 2024
With the emergence of Jordan Mason (147 rushing yards on 28 carries) in Week 1, the 49ers could be patient with McCaffrey's return, as after walloping the New York Jets, they showed they could win without their top offensive weapon. Lower leg injuries, especially Achilles injuries, are scary for running backs, so don't be surprised if the 28-year-old back is held out for longer out of caution. Mason should be viewed as a low-end RB1 and a must-start as long as McCaffrey is out.
Kenneth Walker III Injury Update
UPDATE: Walker has officially been ruled OUT for Week 2
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) hasn't practiced all week and is listed as doubtful for his Week 2 matchup against the New England Patriots. While there is still a chance, it is looking very unlikely the 23-year-old will play on Sunday. Like McCaffrey, Walker III was drafted by many fantasy managers to be their top RB, so he will be missed by fantasy managers.
However, the more prepared of fantasy managers doubled down on the Seattle backfield in drafts and snagged Zach Charbonnet, who played solidly in Walker III's absences last year. Against a good Patriots defense, Charbonnet doesn't have much upside, but his expected volume boosts him to RB2 status as long as Walker III is fully ruled out.
A.J. Brown Injury Update
UPDATE: A.J. Brown has officially been ruled OUT for Week 2
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring) earned a late questionable tag after a limited practice Friday. Unfortunately, the Eagles face the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night, so unless managers have a Monday night replacement ready to go, it may require blind faith to keep Brown in your lineup.
The good news is Brown did practice leading up to Friday, so more likely than not, this is out of caution and isn't too concerning. Either way, Brown managers should remain vigilant and ready to pivot if necessary. If Brown misses Week 2, that would hurt Jalen Hurts slightly, and boost DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley slightly.
Jordan Love Injury Update
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) is currently listed as questionable for Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts after not practicing all week. After what looked like a bad knee injury at the end of Friday night's matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, Matt LaFleur has not closed the door on a speedy return from Love.
It's hard to imagine Jordan Love playing Sunday, BUT...
QBs can come back fast from MCL injuries. Matt LaFleur describes Love as "day to day," and says they'll give him the week to get ready and that Love doesn't need to practice to play.
Probably posturing. But we'll see!
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) September 12, 2024
Despite the questionable tag, many injury experts seem to think Love will miss the week and potentially more, so fantasy managers should have a replacement ready to go. If Love doesn't play, Malik Willis will start in his place, greatly downgrading pass catchers Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs.
Jayden Reed Injury Update
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (calf/shin) is currently listed as questionable for Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts after a limited practice Friday. Similar to A.J. Brown, Reed is a surprise late addition to the injury report, which could indicate the team being cautious, or a last-minute injury concern.
The 24-year-old wideout had a fantastic Week 1, meaning many fantasy managers are hoping for an encore performance in Week 2. The Packers play Sunday at 1 p.m., which leaves plenty of room for fantasy managers to maneuver should Reed miss out. With the Packers' offense banged up, it will be hard to trust any of their fantasy assets, besides maybe Josh Jacobs.
Josh Jacobs Injury Update
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (back) has been removed from the injury report after limited practices all week and will play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. The Packers offense is struggling with injuries already, so this confirmation is big news for the team.
Jacobs will likely have to contend with a loaded box for much of the game with Jordan Love and Jayden Reed questionable, which limits his upside, but his volume and talent should keep him in the high-end RB2 tier.
Tee Higgins Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) hasn't practiced all week and is listed as doubtful for Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs. After missing Week 1, it seems likely Higgins will miss out once again, leaving a huge void to fill for multiple unproven receivers, such as Trenton Irwin, Andrei Iosivas, and Jermaine Burton.
The Bengals offense already struggled against the New England Patriots in Week 1, so the offense may be in for a tough week against the Chiefs. Besides Ja'Marr Chase, there aren't many upside options to play from Bengals with Burrow potentially playing hurt and Higgins out.
Jordan Addison Injury Update
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) has been ruled out against the San Francisco 49ers for Week 2. Considering he didn't practice all week, this isn't too surprising. Addison left Week 1 against the New York Giants in the third quarter.
🚨BREAKING🚨: Minnesota Vikings WR Jordan Addison has an ankle injury and will not return to today’s matchup against the New York Giants. pic.twitter.com/cTKfRh6z4y
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) September 8, 2024
Sam Darnold and the Vikings will miss Addison's presence, but for Justin Jefferson managers, that will hopefully mean plenty of targets. Jefferson and Aaron Jones are the only players worth starting against the elite 49ers' defense with Addison out.
Jameson Williams Injury Update
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) is listed as questionable after practicing in a limited fashion all week. The 23-year-old receiver showed off his speed in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams and will look to overcome this ankle injury to keep the momentum going against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Williams struggled to produce consistently during his first two seasons, so missing Week 2 would be devasting for both Williams and his fantasy managers. If Williams were to miss out, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs would likely take on even more work on Sunday.
Jake Ferguson Injury Update
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (knee) is listed as doubtful for Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. His chances to play on Sunday are looking slim, as he didn't practice all week.
Ferguson left Week 1 against the Browns in the third quarter, an injury that looked potentially much worse than it has turned out. The Cowboys will miss Ferguson, and will most likely rely on CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks even more than they already do.
Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze Injury Updates
Chicago Bears wide receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (knee) are both listed as questionable for Week 2 against the Houston Texans. Odunze's chances to play seem a little higher than Allen's after a limited practice Friday. Allen hasn't practiced all week.
Thankfully for Caleb Williams and the Bears, D.J. Moore will be available and primed for high volume if one or both don't play Sunday night. Given the game time, fantasy managers may need to pivot away from the two Bears receivers before confirmation of their statuses.
Tua Tagovailoa Injury Update
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa already played this week, but given the nature of his injury and his history, an update feels necessary. The Dolphins QB left the game early against the Bills with a concussion, the third of his career.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered the third diagnosed concussion of his NFL career on Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.
Here are four key questions following Tagovailoa's latest concussion ⬇️ https://t.co/M1xadVbon3
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 13, 2024
Tua's timetable to return is up in the air given the fragile nature of the injury. Anything from a typical return timetable for a concussion to retirement seems on the table. In the meantime, Skylar Thompson will start at QB for the Dolphins, which will greatly limit the fantasy value of the Dolphins' offense going forward, especially Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
