NFL Week 2 Injury Report: Dart, Daniels, Williams and Reed
Updated: Sep 23
Post-Week 2 update: Pierce placed on injured reserve
Post-Week 2 Pierce update: The NFL confirmed on September 23 that Indianapolis placed Alec Pierce on injured reserve after he aggravated his surgically repaired heel. He will miss at least four games, and the Colts have not announced a return timetable. The Week 3 injury tracker now carries the forward-looking status.
Jaxson Dart expected to undergo season-ending knee surgery
NFL Network and ESPN reported Wednesday that Dart suffered damage to the MCL, PCL and meniscus in his left knee while the ACL remained intact. NFL.com says the Giants quarterback is expected to undergo season-ending surgery. New York has not yet issued its own final diagnosis, procedure date or recovery timetable. Jameis Winston is the practical starter going forward, and fantasy managers should treat Dart as an injured-reserve or dynasty hold rather than a 2026 redraft option.
Official checkpoint: Giants' September 22 injury update.
Jaxson Dart expected to undergo season-ending knee surgery
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart injured his left knee on New York’s opening possession against the Rams and was ruled out at halftime. NFL Network and ESPN now report damage to the MCL, PCL and meniscus, with the ACL intact, and say he is expected to undergo season-ending surgery. The Giants have not yet issued their own final statement. Jameis Winston is the practical replacement, while New York’s formal announcement and the procedure date are the next checkpoints. The Giants' official update and NFL.com confirm the halftime downgrade to out. Football Nation's Giants–Rams canonical now contains the verified 28–6 final, while Football Nation’s dedicated Dart report tracks the imaging timeline.
Tight end rooms change in Philadelphia and Los Angeles
Philadelphia is reportedly bringing Zach Ertz back on the practice squad after Dallas Goedert sustained an MCL sprain and was expected to miss several weeks. The reported plan is to elevate Ertz for Week 3 against Chicago, but the Eagles had not yet posted the transaction when this update was prepared. Ertz therefore belongs on watch lists rather than in locked fantasy lineups until the signing and game-day elevation are official. Reuters detailed the reported reunion. For broader quarterback and pass-catcher context, see Football Nation’s Kyler Murray clearance update.
September 23 correction: The Chargers officially placed David Njoku on injured reserve, so he must miss at least four games. Jim Harbaugh said Charlie Kolar will not play in Week 3 because of his forearm injury but is not expected to be placed on injured reserve. Kolar therefore does not currently carry the four-game IR minimum. Los Angeles promoted Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the practice squad, while Oronde Gadsden remains the primary healthy tight end on the active roster. The official NFL roundup supersedes the earlier report that both tight ends were headed to injured reserve.The Chargers injury report was carried by Bolts From The Blue. The fantasy effect belongs beside Football Nation’s Cowboys–Commanders injury recap and the Avonte Maddox season-ending update: replacement opportunity matters, but official depth-chart and transaction confirmation comes first.
Monday quarterback update: Murray cleared; Penix starts
Minnesota confirmed Kyler Murray cleared concussion protocol and will start Week 3 at Tampa Bay, with Carson Wentz returning to the backup role. That resolves availability but not Murray's expected workload or performance after a five-attempt Week 1 debut. Read Football Nation’s canonical Murray update and Reuters’ confirmation.
Atlanta confirmed Michael Penix Jr. will start Thursday at Green Bay, his first game since the ACL tear that ended his 2025 season. Tua Tagovailoa could be available, but the Falcons have not confirmed his role. Read Football Nation’s canonical Penix update and Reuters’ September 21 report.
Alec Pierce out several weeks; Darius Slayton joins Colts
Indianapolis now expects Alec Pierce to miss several weeks while he rehabs the left heel that required surgery in March. Reuters reports that Pierce will rehab rather than undergo immediate surgery, with a reported hope of returning by midseason. That is not a team guarantee. The Colts also signed veteran receiver Darius Slayton, who played with Daniel Jones in New York, and placed defensive end Michael Clemons on injured reserve. Slayton is a watch-list addition until Indianapolis establishes his role; Josh Downs and Keenan Allen gain the clearest short-term target stability. Football Nation’s canonical Alec Pierce update now tracks the rehabilitation timeline and roster consequences.
Jayden Daniels dislocates left elbow; Mariota starts Week 3
Washington confirmed that Jayden Daniels sustained a dislocated left elbow in the 37–20 loss to Dallas. Initial postgame X-rays showed no fracture. Daniels underwent additional imaging Monday, but Dan Quinn did not disclose the result. Marcus Mariota will start Week 3 against Seattle while Daniels consults specialists Tuesday and Wednesday; no surgery decision or return timetable has been announced. This replaces the preliminary wait-for-imaging language. Read the Football Nation Daniels injury report and Reuters’ September 21 update.
Monday update: Caleb Williams is week-to-week
Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams avoided a major hamstring injury, but coach Ben Johnson now describes him as week-to-week after the non-contact fourth-quarter injury in the Bears’ 9–3 loss to Minnesota. Williams has not been ruled out for the September 28 game against Philadelphia. Tyson Bagent remains the contingency, and the first Week 3 practice report is the next objective checkpoint. Read the full Caleb Williams injury update and the official postgame report.
Dallas Goedert does not return
Dallas Goedert reportedly sustained a sprained MCL while blocking during Philadelphia's 24–20 win over Tennessee and is expected to miss time, although the Eagles have not announced an injury grade or return date. Multiple reports also say Philadelphia is signing Zach Ertz to the practice squad with an expected Week 3 elevation. Those remain reported developments until the club posts the transaction and an official Goedert status; the first Eagles practice report is the next objective checkpoint.Reuters report on Goedert and Ertz
Saquon Barkley returns; Reed and Bako-Bewele ruled out
Postgame update: Green Bay said Jayden Reed would remain overnight in a New York-area hospital following his neck injury. Reed later wrote that he was doing much better, but the team has announced no diagnosis or return timetable. Zach Bako-Bewele later confirmed a complete tear of the right patellar tendon and said he will miss the remainder of the season. Surgery is scheduled for Thursday, with an expected recovery of roughly nine months. Postgame update: Saquon Barkley returned after halftime against Tennessee after sustaining a first-drive stinger. Barkley said after the game that he will undergo an MRI. The planned imaging is a next diagnostic step, not a diagnosis, and Philadelphia has not announced a severity grade or Week 3 status. Dallas Goedert reportedly has a sprained MCL; Philadelphia has not announced an official return date. Green Bay ruled wide receiver Jayden Reed out with a neck injury after he was placed on a spine board, loaded onto a stretcher and carted off; starting right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele was carted off on the next play with his right leg in an air cast and ruled out with a knee injury. Matt LaFleur said Reed had movement in his extremities and would remain in New Jersey overnight. Sources: NFL Sunday injury roundup, Packers in-game updates and Reuters.
Sunday inactive lists settle the early games
Sunday, September 20 inactive-list update: The early-window decisions are final. Joe Burrow is active and set to start. Baltimore has Ronnie Stanley, John Simpson and Trey Hendrickson active, stabilizing the Ravens’ protection and pass rush while Zay Flowers remains out. Tampa Bay wide receiver Jalen McMillan is active for his season debut, though a normal workload is not guaranteed; Browns cornerback Tyson Campbell is active, while Cleveland guard Teven Jenkins is out. Philadelphia safety Andrew Mukuba is active, while Eagles edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and Titans cornerback Cor’Dale Flott are inactive. Kyler Murray and Jauan Jennings are also inactive, as expected. NFL’s official Week 2 inactive list confirms the game-day cards.
Saturday, September 19 update: Baltimore has ruled Zay Flowers out against New Orleans, ending the uncertainty created by Friday's doubtful designation. Fantasy managers should remove Flowers from Week 2 lineups; Rashod Bateman gains the clearest target-share boost, with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely also positioned for larger roles. Official Ravens update. Read Football Nation's full Zay Flowers fantasy update.
The answer first: Brock Bowers and R.J. Harvey are officially out for the late window. Eddy Piñeiro, Kaelon Black and Ladd McConkey are active. Nico Collins, Kyler Murray, Sam Darnold, Michael Penix Jr., Michael Pittman Jr., Zay Flowers and Marvin Mims Jr. are also out. Saquon Barkley returned after a stinger, while Jayden Reed and Zach Bako-Bewele were ruled out during Green Bay’s game. Puka Nacua is out against the Giants.
Those are the decisions with the clearest fantasy and matchup consequences on the official NFL injury report as of Friday evening, September 18. Final designations now replace the week’s earlier participation labels.
Joe Burrow is active and started against Houston, resolving Friday’s conflicting designation reports. The remaining Bengals question is performance and postgame health, not availability.
This canonical report separates confirmed absences from true game-time uncertainty and removes expired checkpoints. The late-window inactive lists are now final; Sunday night’s Chiefs decisions and Monday’s Rams inactive list is final.
Also read Football Nation’s related analysis: Ravens 41, Colts 23: Henry Makes History, Lamar Runs Wild.
Saturday afternoon update: New England ruled starting cornerback Carlton Davis III out against Pittsburgh because of a neck injury. Davis missed three consecutive practices after Monday’s bonus session and played 49 of 50 defensive snaps in the opener. The Patriots’ official Saturday injury report confirms the change from questionable to out, and independent Patriots reporting details the likely replacement options. Football Nation’s Steelers-Patriots preview and Steelers Week 1 recap provide the matchup context.
The Week 2 decisions that matter most
For continuity, Football Nation’s Week 1 injury tracker preserves the earlier status timeline; this Week 2 report controls for Sunday lineup decisions.
Player | Friday status | Reader decision |
Nico Collins | Out | Remove from Week 2 lineups |
Kyler Murray | Out | Carson Wentz is expected to start |
Sam Darnold | Out | Downgrade Seattle passing options |
Zay Flowers | Out | Secure a Sunday replacement |
Brock Bowers | Out | Remove from lineup; use Mayer or another active TE |
Joe Burrow | Active | Started against Houston |
Ladd McConkey | Questionable | Confirm Sunday inactives |
Puka Nacua | Out | Remove from Week 2 lineups |
Quarterback changes reshape three games
Minnesota ruled Kyler Murray out while he remains in concussion protocol. Football Nation’s Kyler Murray injury update now points to Carson Wentz starting against Chicago. Minnesota’s pass catchers carry more volatility, and the Bears defense becomes a stronger streaming option than it would have been against Murray.
That quarterback change is already incorporated into the Vikings versus Bears preview. The uncertainty is no longer whether Murray plays. It is how aggressively Minnesota lets Wentz attack compared with a plan built around the running game and quicker throws.
Seattle also ruled Sam Darnold out against Arizona. A backup must handle the complete passing plan, so Seattle’s receivers lose ceiling without automatically becoming unusable. A simplified game plan can still produce efficient touches, especially through designed throws and play action.
Seattle’s protection outlook worsened Saturday when the Seahawks downgraded starting right guard Anthony Bradford to out with knee and hip injuries. Christian Haynes is expected to make his first NFL start beside backup quarterback Drew Lock. That combination adds pressure to Seattle’s pass protection and reinforces the case for a run-first, quick-game plan against Arizona. The Seahawks confirmed the downgrade, while independent Seahawks coverage identifies Haynes as the next man up. Football Nation’s Sam Darnold return tracker and Cardinals Week 1 recap provide the broader quarterback and opponent context.
Carolina’s situation is more restrictive. Michael Penix Jr. is out, Tua Tagovailoa is doubtful, and Cooper Rush is expected to start. That lowers the reliability of every Panthers pass catcher and increases the chance of a conservative approach. It also raises Atlanta’s defensive floor, although the Falcons still must convert favorable game state into sacks and takeaways.
Collins is out, while Burrow improved
Houston ruled Nico Collins out after the hamstring injury he suffered in practice. The canonical Nico Collins report explains why this is more than a simple target vacancy: Collins draws coverage attention and handles routes that structure the Texans’ passing game. His absence raises opportunity elsewhere but does not guarantee one teammate inherits his entire role.
The best fantasy response is to remove Collins now and favor players with secure routes rather than chasing a speculative replacement solely because he shares the same depth chart. Houston also ruled guard Ed Ingram and edge defender Jadeveon Clowney out, adding pressure on both sides of the ball.
Joe Burrow practiced fully Friday and is expected to start. Cincinnati’s published injury table lists him questionable, while NFL.com says he has no Week 2 designation. The Joe Burrow injury update should be read with the full Friday practice and the source conflict, not the earlier limited sessions alone. Burrow is active for Houston.
Flowers, Bowers and Harvey are out
Baltimore ruled Zay Flowers out Saturday after he missed Wednesday and Thursday practices and returned only in a limited capacity Friday. The Zay Flowers injury report has therefore moved from monitoring to a confirmed Week 2 absence. Rashod Bateman receives the clearest target-share boost, while Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely also gain opportunity.
Baltimore also ruled out Nnamdi Madubuike, Teddye Buchanan and T.J. Tampa, according to Friday’s Ravens injury coverage. Those defensive absences affect the opponent’s protection plan and late game passing chances.
Verified Zay Flowers image source: Wikimedia Commons file page · Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0. Current availability: NFL Week 3 injury report.
Las Vegas officially ruled Brock Bowers out after his pregame knee test. Michael Mayer starts and Bowers must remain benched in Week 2 fantasy lineups. Denver also ruled R.J. Harvey out with a hamstring injury, increasing the immediate backfield opportunity for J.K. Dobbins, Jonah Coleman and Tyler Badie.
Ladd McConkey is questionable, so his outlook is better than Bowers’. The Ladd McConkey injury update remains a Sunday decision. Managers can keep him in provisional lineups but should identify a late window pivot. Elijah Molden and Trey Pipkins are out for the Chargers, which also affects the full matchup.
Defensive absences change otherwise stable previews
Green Bay ruled defensive tackle Javon Hargrave out Saturday with knee and concussion issues; he will not travel to New York. Edge rusher Lukas Van Ness cleared concussion protocol and was removed from the injury report. Hargrave’s absence reduces Green Bay’s interior disruption against Breece Hall and Geno Smith, while Van Ness’s clearance restores an important part of the edge rotation. The Packers’ official update and the NFL Saturday roundup confirm both changes. Football Nation’s Packers-Jets preview now reflects the revised defensive matchup.
Pittsburgh ruled Joey Porter Jr. out, a material change for the secondary. The Steelers versus Patriots preview should be read with that absence attached. New England gains a better perimeter matchup, but one missing corner does not erase Pittsburgh’s pass rush or guarantee efficient quarterback play.
Saturday update: Behind the Steel Curtain reported September 19 that Pittsburgh ruled Michael Pittman Jr. out against New England because of his foot injury. He had been questionable after missing Thursday and Friday practice. DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard and the tight ends now carry more of the passing-game burden; Pittsburgh has not announced a timetable beyond Week 2.
Miami ruled edge rusher Chop Robinson out. San Francisco has Eddy Piñeiro and Kaelon Black active, removing the late special-teams and backfield uncertainty from its final report. De’Zhaun Stribling remains on injured reserve.
Those interacting changes belong with the Dolphins versus 49ers preview, not in duplicate standalone articles. Miami loses a rusher, San Francisco loses a receiver, and the final kicker decision could affect fourth down choices.
Kansas City listed Chris Jones and Mansoor Delane questionable while ruling Chamarri Conner and Josh Simmons out. Indianapolis ruled Ashton Dulin out and listed DJ Giddens questionable. Those designations are incorporated into the Colts versus Chiefs preview. Jones is the most consequential uncertainty because his presence changes protection priorities and the Colts’ ability to stay ahead of the sticks.
The Kansas City designations are confirmed in Friday’s Chiefs injury report. Questionable does not mean inactive, so Sunday morning confirmation remains necessary.
Puka Nacua is out against the Giants
Los Angeles made Puka Nacua inactive for Monday night's game against the New York Giants because of the hip/groin injury that kept him out of the final two practices. Jordan Whittington is also inactive, leaving Davante Adams to lead a reduced receiver group with Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith and Tutu Atwell. The next objective checkpoint is the Rams' first Week 3 practice report; no return timetable has been announced.
The Giants' official September 21 inactive list confirms Nacua is out. Reuters independently reported the same game-day decision. The designation is final for Week 2 and replaces every earlier questionable-status reference.
Fantasy managers must remove Nacua from Week 2 lineups. Adams receives the clearest target-share increase, while the Rams can also lean more heavily on tight ends Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee. Opportunity rises for the remaining receivers, but the inactive list alone does not guarantee any one player Nacua's full role.
Sunday lineup checklist
1. Remove confirmed outs now: Collins, Murray, Darnold, Penix, Pittman, Flowers, Bowers, Harvey, Robinson and Mims should not remain in active fantasy lineups.
2. Use the confirmed late-window pivots: Mayer replaces Bowers in Las Vegas, while Dobbins, Coleman and Badie absorb Denver backfield work without Harvey.
3. The late-window status calls are settled: McConkey, Piñeiro and Black are active. Chris Jones and Mansoor Delane remain the major Sunday-night checks.
4. Nacua is inactive; remove him from Week 2 lineups.
Packers update: Reed improves; Bako-Bewele out for the season
The Packers said Jayden Reed would remain overnight in a New York-area hospital for additional testing after the wide receiver sustained a neck injury on Green Bay’s second offensive play. Coach Matt LaFleur said Reed had feeling and movement in his extremities. Reed later wrote that he was “doing much better,” but the team has not announced a diagnosis or return timetable. Reuters reported the team’s postgame update.
Right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele confirmed Tuesday that he completely tore the patellar tendon in his right knee on Green Bay's third offensive play against the Jets. The injury is to the same tendon he partially tore last season. He said surgery is scheduled for Thursday and that the expected recovery is approximately nine months, ending his 2026 season. Anthony Belton is the immediate replacement at right tackle ahead of Thursday night's game against Atlanta.Acme Packing Company documented LaFleur’s postgame comments.
Confirmed September 22 sources: ESPN's report from Bako-Bewele's media availability and NBC Sports' independent account.
Skyy Moore replaced Reed in the slot, while Anthony Belton took over at right tackle. Green Bay also lost Aaron Banks to a toe injury and Donovan Jennings to a hand injury, creating immediate depth questions before Thursday night’s game against Atlanta. For the connected game context, read Football Nation’s Packers–Jets final recap.
Football Nation verdict
The cleanest Week 2 approach is to act on confirmed information. Bowers and Harvey are out; McConkey, Piñeiro and Black are active. Barkley returned after a stinger, while Reed was ruled out and Bako-Bewele subsequently confirmed a season-ending complete patellar tendon tear. Burrow is active, and Nacua is out against New York.
This tracker remains the canonical leaguewide report. Player-specific updates and game previews provide deeper context. The next revision should follow only a material official change: a Sunday-night inactive decision, postgame diagnosis or Monday’s Rams inactive list.
Late Sunday injury updates
LIVE UPDATE: September 20, 2026 at 6:15 PM CT
David Njoku, TE, Los Angeles Chargers: Knee injury, carted off
Njoku injured his knee on the first play of the second quarter against Las Vegas and left the field on a cart. Bolts From The Blue reported the in-game ruling. The Chargers had not announced an injury grade or recovery timetable, so the correct next checkpoint is the postgame update and subsequent imaging. Charlie Kolar and Oronde Gadsden are the immediate tight-end alternatives, but neither should be assigned Njoku’s fantasy role until routes, targets and the medical outlook are known.
Mike Onwenu, RG, New England Patriots: Reported broken right ankle
Onwenu was carted off after T.J. Watt rolled into the back of his right leg during New England’s win over Pittsburgh. Greg Van Roten replaced him. Pats Pulpit’s postgame injury report also listed safety Craig Woodson with a shoulder injury, safety Dell Pettus with an ankle injury, tight end Eli Raridon with a thigh injury and defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones with a shoulder injury. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that initial X-rays showed a broken right ankle and that Onwenu is expected to miss the remainder of the season. NFL.com’s Monday roundup said coach Mike Vrabel confirmed Onwenu will not be available in the short term. New England still has not announced the fracture diagnosis, a procedure or a roster transaction, so the reported broken ankle and season-ending expectation remain independently sourced.
Football Nation verdict
Avonte Maddox out for season; left-foot surgery required
Detroit coach Dan Campbell said Monday that defensive back Avonte Maddox will miss the rest of 2026 and undergo surgery on the left foot he injured at Buffalo. Maddox started both games and finished with 10 tackles and two passes defended. His loss deepens a secondary already missing Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Reuters confirmed the season-ending designation.
Vrabel has confirmed that Onwenu will not be available in the short term, but the broken-ankle diagnosis and season-ending expectation remain report-based. Patriots reporting attributes the initial X-ray result to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Sunday produced several visually alarming departures, and Monday brought two confirmed clarifications: Williams avoided a major injury and is week-to-week, while Detroit announced that Avonte Maddox needs season-ending left-foot surgery. Onwenu is reportedly dealing with a broken right ankle and is expected to miss the season, but New England has not yet issued a formal diagnosis. Reed, Bako-Bewele and Njoku still need medical follow-up; Barkley’s return is encouraging but does not replace his scheduled MRI.
Kelvin Banks Jr. needs surgery and is out indefinitely
Tests revealed a severe high-ankle sprain for Saints left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., and surgery is expected. NFL.com reported Monday that Banks is out indefinitely after leaving New Orleans’ win at Baltimore. A late-season return is possible if recovery goes well, but that is not a timetable. Asim Richards is the immediate replacement to watch, while an official Saints surgery announcement and injured-reserve transaction remain the next checkpoints. Read Football Nation’s full Kelvin Banks injury update and Week 3 fantasy fallout for the wider lineup consequences.
Week 2 video archive
Football Nation’s full Monday night Giants at Rams coverage is now embedded with the injury report so readers can revisit the game context around Dart, Nabers, Burns and the other New York exits. Open the Football Nation stream. The video supplements the written reporting and does not replace the official medical updates.
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