Week two is upon us and the injuries are already starting to pile up. We'll take a look at some key fantasy football injuries for week two and break them down.
Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts (shoulder)
Luck was added to the injury report on Thursday, as he had a limited practice with a shoulder injury. This isn't shocking as the same exact thing was done last week as well. Luck will likely have another limited practice on Friday, but he is in no danger of missing the game Sunday against the Broncos. Treat him as a low-end QB1 going into this tough match-up against a stout Broncos defense.
Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks (ankle)
Wilson came into the week dealing with an ankle injury that some labelled as "serious", even doubting his status for week two. But after two straight days of practice and a reassurance from Wilson himself, there is little doubt that Wilson will be suited up for Sunday against the Rams. He may be somewhat hobbled, but he has a juicy match-up against the Rams, who even made Blaine Gabbert look dynamic in week one. Wilson is a quality mid-tier QB1 for week two.
Jamaal Charles, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs (knee)
Charles missed week one as he was still recovering from his surgery that took place last season on his knee. He remained a limited participant in practice this week. While that is usually a reassuring sign, Charles was in the same boat last week as well. He is not expected to suit up this week as the Chiefs act patiently with their franchise running back. Keep him out of your line-ups and continue to watch his progress weekly as he could be good to go as soon as next week.
Jonathan Stewart, Running Back, Carolina Panthers (ankle)
Stewart was added to the injury report on Wednesday with an ankle injury. He has been a limited participant in both Wednesday and Thursday's practices. While he is almost certain to suit up this weekend, Stewart has had a history of lower leg issues over his career and it's slightly worrisome to see him already dealing with one. But he had said that his ankle was "not a concern" earlier in the week and everything points to him being active on gameday. Trreat him as a low-end RB2 against the 49ers.
Chris Ivory, Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars (illness)
This all started last week when news broke of Chris Ivory being hospitalized due to a "general medical issue". He did not play in week one and was released from the hospital on Wednesday. While it is encouraging to see him out and about, he did not participate in practice on Thursday and is a long-shot to play this week as he continues to re-cooperate. He should be all systems go for week three, but will most likely be inactive this weekend.
Devonta Freeman, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons (quad)
Freeman popped up on the injury report this week with a quad injury. He was limited in practice on Wednesday, but was a full participant on Thursday. There doesn't appear to be any concerns over Freeman missing this weekend's game against the Raiders. Treat him as a mid-tier RB2 as his role appears to not be fully set in stone with Tevin Coleman back in the mix.
Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons (ankle)
Jones has been a limited participant in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury. While he has been limited all week, there is no concern over Jones missing this weekend's game against the Raiders. He may even get a full session of practice in on Friday, but will play one way or another in week two. Treat him as a high-end WR1, as you would normally.
Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals (knee)
Fitzgerald has been dealing with a knee injury for a little while now. He showed no effects of it in week one against the Patriots and will be active on Sunday. He has practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday and Thursday. This is just a case of the team being cautious and controlling their star veteran wide receivers reps in practice. He will be a high to mid-tier WR2 against the Buccaneers in week two.
Demaryius Thomas, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos (hip)
Thomas has been dealing with a hip injury since last Thursday following the Broncos beating the Panthers. He has been limited in practice all week but has been progressively improving throughout the week. He had said that this hip injury was similar to the one he had in 2012, where he played all 16 games that season. Thomas appears to be ready to face the Colts, but he won't be 100% for this game. He does have a juicy match-up against the Colts banged-up secondary, so treat him as a mid to low-tier WR2.
T.Y. Hilton, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts (knee) Like Luck, Hilton was a new addition to the team's injury report on Thursday, as he missed practice completely with a knee injury. Not much clarification was given about this new injury, but it's never a good sign to be added to the injury report later in the week and miss practice. More than likely, Hilton will be fine and suit up on Sunday. But keep an eye on the injury report Friday to see if he practices at all. He will most likely be a "game-time decision" but should play unless we hear about this being a serious injury. Treat him as a low-end WR2 against the tough Denver secondary.
Rob Gronkowski, Tight End, New England Patriots (hamstring) - Perhaps the biggest unknown of the week (as he was last week), Gronk has been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury over the past few weeks that even caused him to miss week one. He has been practicing on a limited basis on both Wednesday and Thursday, but he did as well last week and still sat. Gronk will be a "game-time decision" for the Patriots on Sunday. Keep an eye on him throughout the rest of the week and weekend as his playing status for week two could go either way. My money is on him sitting again in week two.