There’s been just one week of NFL action so far this season, but the injury report has started to grow ahead of Sunday’s Week 2 slate.
Among the biggest injury news to break this week was that the San Francisco 49ers would place running back Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve for his calf/Achilles injury. He will miss at least the next four weeks.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown also will be sidelined this week after he felt tightness in his hamstring during practice on Friday. The Eagles officially ruled him out on Sunday before the 1 p.m. slate of games, leaving him out for the ‘Monday Night Football’ clash with the Atlanta Falcons.
Here’s the latest injury news on some of the biggest fantasy football stars ahead of Week 2:
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Christian McCaffrey placed on IR
After the star running back missed the first game of the season, the 49ers have elected to place McCaffrey on IR for a calf/Achilles injury. He’ll miss at least the next four games for San Francisco, though NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported he may need as many as six weeks to recover from Achilles tendinitis.
A.J. Brown misses Saturday practice, ruled out for Monday
The Eagles’ No. 1 receiver said he felt tightness in his hamstring during Philadelphia’s practice on Friday and missed Saturday’s practice as he recovers. On Sunday, Brown was officially downgraded to out for the ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup vs. the Falcons.
Evan Engram injures hamstring pregame, ruled out
Jaguars tight end Evan Engram injured his hamstring during warmups ahead of Jacksonville’s matchup vs. the Browns. He will not play in the game.
Puka Nacua, Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown join McCaffrey on IR
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) were both placed on injured reserve earlier this week. They’ll each miss at least four weeks.
Nacua, who sprained his PCL in the Rams’ Week 1 win over the Lions, could miss between five and seven weeks as he recovers.
Saturday reports indicated that Brown may not play at all in the regular season after he undergoes surgery on Monday for a sternoclavicular injury.
A few more big names listed as ‘doubtful’ for Sunday action
Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (knee), Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) and Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker (oblique) are all doubtful for their respective games on Sunday after each missed practice all week.
Browns TE David Njoku out vs. Jaguars
Njoku missed practice all week as he works to recover from an ankle injury, and Cleveland has already declared the tight end out for its game against the Jaguars in Jacksonville. Seven-year vet Jordan Akins is listed as Njoku’s backup on the Browns’ depth chart.
Packers QB Jordan Love out vs. Colts
The Packers’ starter had a ‘questionable’ earlier in the week, but the team downgraded him to ‘doubtful’ status on Saturday. He will not play against the Colts in the Packers’ home opener. Offseason acquisition Malik Willis will start in his place.
Vikings WR Jordan Addison out vs. 49ers
The second-year wide receiver stayed out of practice all week with an ankle injury and will not play on Sunday in the Vikings’ home opener against San Francisco. Brandon Powell likely slides up to the No. 2 wide receiver spot in his stead.
Others listed as questionable entering Sunday play
The following players carry a ‘questionable’ designation on their respective teams’ latest injury reports, but are trending towards playing:
Packers WR Jayden Reed
Bears WR Rome Odunze
Lions WR Jameson Williams
Chargers WR Josh Palmer
Panthers TE Tommy Tremble
As of Sunday morning, all other remaining ‘questionable’ designations are likely game-time decisions. That group includes players like Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen and Colts wide receiver Josh Downs.