NFL Week 2 Injury Report, Odds: 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey Playing vs. Vikings?

As we head into the sophomore week of the 2024 NFL season, there are already some eye-opening names that might not see action this weekend. All it takes is one bad hit, one bad slide, or one bad twist.

Before we go any further, be sure to check out our NFL odds and our injuries page for the complete list of banged-up players. Select your preferred team from the drop-down menu on the right-hand side and presto.

And without further ado, here is the Week Injury Report.

Dolphins’ De’Von Achane a Game-Time Decision

Stellar RB De’Von Achane, who was once again brilliant in Miami’s Week 1 victory – albeit through the air – will be a game-time decision. His ankle is keeping him from feeling 100%, but the team will allow him to partake in pre-game warmups and a decision will be taken at that time.

Miami is a slight -2.5 favourite tonight.

Packers’ Jordan Love a Long Shot to Play

Green Bay QB Jordan Love went down in the final seconds of Week 1’s match in Brazil as his side attempted a brave comeback versus the Philadelphia Eagles. News about his status has shifted since then. For a few days, it was said his knee injury would keep him out for 4-to-6 weeks.

That prognostic has softened. As of Wednesday, head coach Matt Lafleur said it’s “pretty open” whether Love plays on Sunday. To be clear, he is listed as doubtful. What’s more, he has not partaken in practice this week. It seems that the Packers faithful should expect Malik Willis to take snaps in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts. Note that Green Bay is now a +3 home underdog.

Bears’ WR Keenan Allen Questionable

One of the big signings Chicago made this past offseason was WR Keenan Allen. The idea was to bolster rookie QB Caleb Williams’ chances of early success.

He wasn’t much of a factor in Week 1 despite the team winning, and he may be even less of a factor in Week 2. As of Thursday morning, his status is questionable because of a heel injury that has nagged him for some time. Allen was given the day off on Wednesday specifically to nurse the injury. There is still a chance that he plays on Sunday night. The Bears are a considerable +6.5 underdog as they prepare for an away match versus the Texans.

Bengals’ Tee Higgins Dealing with Hamstring Issue

Cincinnati continued its recent tradition of starting a new season poorly, laying an egg at home against the New England Patriots. Not helping help their cause was the absence of WR Tee Higgins.

The star receiver is still hampered by a hamstring injury. The word on the street is that he probably won’t play against the Chiefs in Kansas City. What could save him is if he returns to practice by Friday. Cincy is staring at +5.5 underdog status for Sunday’s game in Chiefs Kingdom.

Chiefs’ Duo of Marquise Brown and Edwards-Helaire Banged Up

On paper, knowing that WR Marquise Brown (shoulder) and RB Clyde-Edwards-Helaire (non-football illness) are out of commission is bad. Then one looks at how Xavier Worthy and Rasheed Rice played in Week 1 and things suddenly don’t look so glum for the Chiefs.

Be that as it may, Edwards-Helaire will continue to miss time to deal with some personal matters. Pass catcher Hollywood Brown has a bad shoulder and is far from a lock on Sunday (questionable). But back to the earlier point of Kansas City having more than enough players to “plug and play,” if Brown isn’t feeling great, why risk it? Thursday’s practice will go a long way to determining Brown’s fate on Sunday. More evidence that life is great in KC: the Chiefs are a -5.5 favourite against the Bengals regardless.

49ers’ Christian McCaffrey Still Not Cleared

Much like the Chiefs, the 49ers are such a well-oiled machine that not having RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) did not in any fashion derail their ability to dominate in Week 1. McCaffrey has been limited in practice this week but sounds optimistic about playing on Sunday.

“My mentality is I’m playing,” McCaffrey said, per The San Francisco Chronicle, on Wednesday. “That’s where I’m at. That’s how I am every week. I’m not lying. I think as soon as a player says, ‘You know, maybe I’ll play, maybe I won’t.’ That’s not a good mentality to go into a week with when you’re kind of on the fence. So I’m ready to go.”

This seems like a situation we’ll have to monitor until kick-off. The 49ers are set as -5.5 favourites.

Steelers Might Not Have Russell Wilson Cooking

It’s fine to let Russ cook, but only if he’s healthy enough. Otherwise, the entire offence gets sick. A calf injury kept Wilson on the sidelines versus the Falcons (yet still in uniform?).

Nothing guarantees that Wilson will be on the field for the Steelers’ Week 2 battle against the Broncos in Denver. He’s officially listed as questionable and was limited at practice on Wednesday. At 1-0, equipped with a monstrous defence, facing a rookie Broncos QB, as long Justin Fields doesn’t commit egregious mistakes, it seems logical to let Wilson rest one more week. Pittsburgh sits as a -2.5 favourite, which says a lot.

Chargers’ Joey Bosa Back Injury

It’s been a rough patch for Los Angeles Chargers LB Joey Bosa. He only played five games in 2022, only nine in 2023, and might start missing time in 2024 already. He suffered a back injury during Week 1’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

The hulking 29-year-old was limited at practice on Wednesday. He is currently listed as questionable, meaning Thursday and Friday practices will go a long way to determining what his status on Sunday ends up being. Given that the Chargers visit the lowly Panthers, L.A. is a comfortable -6 favourite.

Rams’ Puka Nacua is on IR

There is no doubt about this one. If readers consider betting on the Rams, especially for some offensive categories, note that WR Puka Nacua is on IR due to a knee injury suffered in Week 1.

He’s expected to miss at least four matches but it could be more. The Rams visit the Cardinals in Week 2 and – wouldn’t you know it –  are a +1 underdog.

Seahawks’ Tyler Lockett is Hurt but Likely to Play

Tyler Lockett is one of the great receivers in the NFL even though his name isn’t mentioned often. He still played in Week 1 against the Broncos despite a nagging thigh issue.

It hasn’t gone away, and as such Lockett has been a limited participant at practice this week. Word has it that Seattle is merely keeping their receiver fresh enough to go on Sunday when the Seahawks face the Patriots in New England. He’s likely to play. Seattle is a -3.5 favourite.