After a relatively healthy preseason heading into week one for fantasy football owners, there are plenty of injuries to watch heading into week 2. Most of the players that are injured are expected to play through their various ailments but it’s important to keep an eye on who’s in and who’s out for week 2 of the NFL.
Here’s a quick spin around the league looking at the latest (as of the end of Thursday’s practices) on all the fantasy relevant injuries. Each week on Friday, we’ll sort the injuries into green light (play as normal), yellow light (proceed with caution), and red light (put him on the bench).
Green Light (Play as Normal)
Dez Bryant-WR-Dallas Cowboys: Dez’s mild foot sprain was a concern when it first came up, but he has participated in full in his last two practices and should be ready to roll for Sunday. If he’s your WR1, play him with confidence this Sunday in KC.
Julio Jones-WR-Atlanta Falcons: Jones was back to a limited practice yesterday and should be ready for a heavy workload Sunday against the Rams who struggled with the Cardinals passing game last week.
Jamaal Charles-RB-Kansas City: Charles returned to practice yesterday and looks like he’ll be ready for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.
Wes Welker-WR-Denver Broncos: Like he did for years with the Patriots, Welker has been limited in practice but will play on Sunday.
Reggie Bush-RB-Detroit Lions: Bush is practicing fully and is ready to start Sunday against Arizona.
Owen Daniels-TE-Houston Texans: Daniels has been limited this week with a couple nagging injuries, but is expected to play this week against the Titans. He had a huge week one and is a top ten tight end this week against Tennessee.
Daryl Richardson-RB-St. Louis Rams: Richardson has a foot injury but is practicing and should play week 2 against the Falcons.
Cecil Shorts-WR-Jacksonville Jaguars: Shorts has been limited in practice with his groin injury but he’s expected to play Sunday against Oakland. With Chad Henne replacing Blaine Gabbert, Shorts value takes a bump up and he’s a serviceable WR3 this week against a week Raiders secondary.
Andre Roberts-WR-Arizona Cardinals: Roberts rested his quad on Wednesday but returned to full practice yesterday. He should be ready to roll against the Lions Sunday.
Rashard Mendenhall-RB-Arizona Cardinals: Mendenhall has been limited in practice this week with a hamstring issue but is expected to play this week against the Lions. I’d look for another option, but Mendenhall should be physically ready to go.
Eric Decker-WR-Denver Broncos: Decker was back to a full practice Thursday but still is buried in the Broncos pecking order for targets.
Sidney Rice-WR-Seattle Seahawks: Rice is not in a great matchup against the 49ers and was not used much week 1 as Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate finishing with just two catches for 35 yards. He was a full participant in practice, so should not be physically limited on Sunday Night. He’s still not someone you should have in your lineup.
Yellow Light (Proceed with Caution)
Roddy White-WR-Atlanta Falcons: White is expected to play, but as his owners know from last week he could be severely limited as he continues to work through his high ankle sprain. If you have another good option, let White prove he’s healthy before putting him in his normal starting spot, but you can start him if your desparate and take the gamble that he’ll play decoy another week.
Dwayne Allen-TE-Indianapols Colts: Allen hasn’t returned to practice despite a negative MRI on his ailing hip. He’s hoping to play but may be limited, so I’d look elsewhere for this week.
Red Light (Not playing)
Le’Veon Bell-RB-Pittsburgh Pirates: Bell hasn’t come back to practice and can stay on your bench or IR for now.
Josh Gordon-WR-Cleveland Browns: Gordon will return next week after his two-game suspension.
Jacoby Jones-WR-Baltimore Ravens: Jones will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a sprained MCL sustained in week one against the Broncos.
Justin Blackmon-WR-Jacksonville Jaguars: Blackmon is suspended for the first four weeks of the season.