The injury roulette that is fantasy football took another turn in Week 2, skimming players off of many fantasy owners rosters. It’s really something how random injuries can be in this sport specifically, the physical nature always giving you a chance of being disappointed. In my case I came away unscathed, but I imagine many can’t say the same. I will go over all 14 injuries and cover them from a fantasy perspective, trying to give you a vibe of who is next up in that teams depth chart.
QBs: Tua Tagovailoa, Carson Wentz, Tyrod Taylor, Andy Dalton
RBs: Darrell Henderson Jr, Elijah Mitchell, JaMycal Hasty, Trey Sermon
WRs: Diontae Johnson, Jarvis Landry, Laviska Shenault Jr, Nico Collins, Danny Amendola
TEs: James O’Shaughnessy
Chicago Bears: Andy Dalton (QB) - During the second quarter, the veteran quarterback began to limp after a 14 yard scamper. He would not return to the game afterwards, rookie and future stud Justin Fields took over the offense from that point. Fields is 8/15 with an interception and 34 rushing yards with a touchdown through his first two games of limited action. Nick Foles may start in Week 3, or at the very least back up Fields. Foles is a known commodity, going 2-5 last year with a 65% completion percentage and a 10:8 TD:INT ratio.
Cleveland Browns: Jarvis Landry (WR) - Week 2 was rough for the Browns against the Texans, both Landry and Mayfield leaving the game for some period of time. Landry did not return to the game after he exited, his knee will receive further testing today. Rashard Higgins ended up being the only wide receiver with multiple targets in the game. Higgins and rookie Anthony Schwartz are the top two receivers on the team at the moment.
Houston Texans: Tyrod Taylor (QB)/Nico Collins (WR)/Danny Amendola (WR) - The CLE/HOU wasn’t only physical for the Browns, as the Texans lost three key offensive pieces to their roster. Taylor and Amendola both suffered hamstring injuries, and Collins is dealing with a shoulder. Davis Mills is the backup to Taylor, a 3rd round pick who struggled during training camp. Jeff Driskel is another option for the club if they do not believe Mills is ready. Davis went 8/18 with a touchdown and interception in his NFL debut. Driskel is 1-8 as a starter in his career with a 13:8 TD:INT ratio. Without the two wideouts, the team threw the ball to Cooks often for half of the teams total pass attempts. Chris Conley and Anthony Miller will have to step up in Week 3 if Collins and Amendola cannot go as the WR2/WR3. Conley has 3 receptions with 40 yards through two games, and Miller had nearly 50/500 with Chicago last season.
Indianapolis Colts: Carson Wentz (QB) - Well, Wentz has never been the most “sturdy” quarterback to take the field, and that is being generous. He didn’t play a snap before breaking his foot this season, and prior to Week 2 being over he’s rolled his ankle. Jacob Eason came in for his debut afterwards and threw an interception in his five pass attempts.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Laviska Shenault Jr (WR)/James O’Shaughnessy (TE) - It was a weird stat line for Laviska when you look at his Week 2 against the Broncos. He was targeted 7 times and made two receptions for a net of –3 yards. After his second reception he injured his shoulder and will need testing this week on it. During the first half of the game the veteran tight end became hampered with an ankle injury and left the contest. No depth option at either position performed in the place of the starter ahead of them. Luke Farrell had his first career reception though. Tyron Johnson is a reserve receiver for the club and I thought he had some potential with the Chargers last season. Johnson put up 25/500 pace as a depth threat with his speed when his 2020 stats are prorated. Jacob Hollister was signed to the club late in training camp and may be up to speed enough to take over the TE1 role. Hollister was solid with the Seahawks in 2020 with 25/200.
Los Angeles Rams: Darrell Henderson Jr (RB) - The running back position is a violent one and Henderson seems to struggle with staying on the field over his career. He’s been hampered in the past by injuries and he suffered a rib issue in Week 2 and had to leave in the four quarter. Sony Michel is solid as a backup with 48 total yards on 11 touches through two weeks.
Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa (QB) - The future of the Miami offense was beat up in the first two drives of the Week 2 tilt with the Bills. After being hit three times, he left the game with a rib injury that would end up ending his day. Jacoby Brissett came in and was clearly on struggle street against the Buffalo pass rush. Jacoby went 24/40 with 177 total yards and an interception. Brissett is 12-20 over his career, the type of quarterback who plays a conservative game that doesn’t win or lose you the game.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Diontae Johnson (WR) - In the final play of the contest, Johnson suffered a knee injury with an unknown severity to the club at the time of the report. He had been solid in the game against the Raiders, putting up over 100 yards on a team high 12 targets. James Washington is the WR4 through two weeks and will be pushed into the three WR sets if Johnson is out. Washington has two receptions this season for 10 yards.
San Francisco 49ers: Elijah Mitchell (RB)/Trey Sermon (RB)/JaMycal Hasty (RB) - I cannot believe how snake bitten the 49ers running back room has been the last two seasons. Last year they discovered that Hasty was a serviceable back only because they had to dig deep into the cupboard to find anybody to play the position for them. The injuries mounted and I swear at a point they were on RB6/7. All three backs suffered an injury in Week 2, Mitchell has a shoulder, Hasty with an ankle and Sermon was placed into concussion protocol. The only healthy back on the club is Trenton Cannon, who has spent time with the Panthers, Jets, and Ravens already this season. He has three carries for a total of 4 yards. Kerryon Johnson is on the practice squad and is a known commodity who will be forced into action. Johnson put up roughly 375 total yards with the Eagles last season.