NFL Week 2: Latest Injury Updates for Every Marquee Player

Injuries are bound to pile up for most teams throughout an NFL regular-season game, but the household names and marquee players going down in Week 2 drew special attention.

It's a battle when teams step onto the gridiron, with players giving their all on every single play. With athletes of this caliber flying at each other with reckless abandon, there's no doubting that the bumps and bruises take their toll.      

While some organizations have fall-back options on their rosters, many of the players who went down during Week 2 are simply irreplaceable, and teams will be forced to accept life without certain stars for the immediate future.

Let's break down all of the Week 2 injuries for players who failed to return.

Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers

Tim Sharp/Associated Press

Update

Things aren't looking optimistic for the tight end, as he was seen on crutches after the game, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.

—End of Update—

As if the wounded egos from an epic collapse during the unveiling of a new stadium in front of a national audience were not enough, the San Francisco 49ers also lost start tight end Vernon Davis to injury in the process.

Davis was lost to an ankle injury late in the game, as the team's Twitter account revealed: "TE @VernonDavis85 (ankle) has been ruled OUT for the rest of the game. #CHIvsSF"

Before his exit, Davis had caught three passes on as many targets for 39 yards. The duration is currently unknown at this point, but should the 49ers be without Davis when they travel to Arizona next week, the team will have to make do with Derek Carrier and Vance McDonald at the position.

Jeremiah Ratliff, DT, Bears

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Chicago escaped San Francisco with a 28-20 win Sunday night but paid a major price on the defensive side of the football in the process.

One of the night's most notable losses was defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff, who suffered a concussion in the second half, as the team's Twitter account noted: "#Bears DT Jeremiah Ratliff is out of the game with a concussion."

Ratliff joined the Bears this offseason after eight years in Dallas as a way for the front office to fill the void left by Henry Melton's departure in free agency (funnily enough, he wound up in Dallas).

Should Ratliff not make it through protocol in time for a bout with the New York Jets next week, the Bears will turn to rookies Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton in the middle.

Charles Tillman, CB, Bears

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Now a 12-year veteran at the age of 33, Charles Tillman suffered the same injury that caused him to miss eight games last season. Unfortunately, this time around, he'll miss even more time. According to ESPN.com, Tillman was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a ruptured triceps muscle. Here's what the cornerback had to say in regard to his injury:

"

I know this feeling way too well, but this isn't the end of the road for me. As I rehab my injury, my role will transition to helping coach and support my teammates. I will be at Halas Hall and do everything I can to help our team reach its goals.

"

Sunday night against San Francisco, Tillman made a causal play in coverage and came up limp before the NBC broadcast's Twitter account reported that he would miss the rest of the game, saying: "TAFOYA: CHI CB Charles Tillman ruled out for rest of game with right triceps injury. His season was cut short last yr by torn rt triceps."

One of the most decorated defensive backs of the past decade and change, Tillman's potential absence creates a large hole in the Chicago secondary. Tim Jennings remains on one side, while 2014 No. 14 overall pick Kyle Fuller will see his developmental arc accelerated dramatically.

It is certainly a bad time for Chicago's secondary to come up lame, as a date with Green Bay comes Sept. 28, with Atlanta two weeks after that.

Chris Conte, S, Bears

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Update

Conte suffered a sprained AC joint and will be monitored throughout the week, according to the Chicago Tribune. His status for Week 3 is still uncertain.

—End Of Update—

The subject of much scrutiny after an iffy outing last season, Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte was having himself a quality outing with two tackles and an interception Sunday night against San Francisco.

In the second quarter, though, Conte went down hard on his shoulder and left the game with the help of trainers.

The Bears noted the severity of the injury shortly after on Twitter: "#Bears S Chris Conte (shoulder) has also been ruled out game."

With Conte out of the picture, starting duties fall to fourth-round rookie Brock Vereen next to Ryan Mundy at a perceived weak point on the unit.

The Bears will face the New York Jets next week on Monday Night Football.

Eric Decker, WR, Jets

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Update

According to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, Decker will undergo tests on Monday. Said the wide receiver about his condition, "Don't know. Find out tomorrow."

—End of Update—

Eric Decker was a big-time target for the Jets in their upset bid of the Green Bay Packers, but he left late with a hamstring injury and failed to return.

Bleacher Report's Eric Frenz noted the injury, as Decker's return was doubtful at the time: "Eric Decker is doubtful to return. As if the #Jets needed any more bad news right now."

The former Denver Bronco was by far the Jets' best option in the passing game on Sunday. He led New York with four catches for 63 yards and a touchdown before exiting.

The Jets' passing game stalled after starting hot against Green Bay, with Geno Smith's inconsistency playing a part in their 31-24 defeat on Sunday. Only Jeremy Kerley was targeted more times (eight) by Smith than Decker (seven).

The two leading receivers after Decker on Sunday were a running back (Bilal Powell) and a fullback (Tommy Bohanon), prompting serious problems for the Jets' passing game if Decker were to miss extended time. He's one of their most valued offensive pieces, and they can ill-afford his loss.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Update

According to Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today, head coach Andy Reid noted the running back suffered a high ankle sprain, saying, "It doesn't look to be a real severe one, but it does have the components of a high ankle sprain. What does that mean? We'll see what happens."

—End of Update—

One of the NFL's best rushers went down on Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs' Jamaal Charles left their game against the Denver Broncos with an ankle injury.

The Chiefs reported on their Twitter account that both he and safety Eric Berry would miss the remainder of the game: "INJURY UPDATE: Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry have been ruled OUT for the game. #KCvsDEN," the team tweeted.

Charles only had two carries for four yards and one catch for eight yards prior to the injury.

It's just another name on the long list of injury troubles for Kansas City through two games, with two starting defenders going down for the season in Week 1. What's more, Charles was hoping to bounce back strong after being held to 19 rushing yards last week versus Tennessee.

Knile Davis was tremendous in the Chiefs backfield Sunday against Denver, rushing 22 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns as Kansas City tried to battle back.

Until Charles is healthy, Davis should be the main guy in the Chiefs backfield. While his performance in relief of Charles was nothing short of spectacular, there's no replacement for Charles' playmaking ability.

Eric Berry, S, Chiefs

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

An already depleted defense lost perhaps its best player Sunday when Eric Berry left the game and did not return.

As the Chiefs noted on their Twitter account, Berry was ruled out for the game with an ankle injury after being seen heading off the field with trainers. 

Even the Chiefs' worst enemies have to be feeling for them at this point. After losing two defensive starters early in their opener against Tennessee, arguably the star of both the offense—Jamaal Charles—and of the defense—Berry—left the Week 2 game against Denver with injuries.

To make matters worse, the Chiefs battled back and were within a goal-line conversion of sending the AFC West rival Broncos to overtime. There's no telling how it all would've unfolded with their best players healthy. 

Now the Chiefs are 0-2, making it an uphill battle for the team to return to the playoffs this year.

Tavon Austin, WR, Rams

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

Update

According to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Austin is set to have an MRI on his knee on Monday.

—End of Update—

St. Louis Rams receiver Tavon Austin went down early in the team's Sunday affair with Tampa Bay and did not return to the game.

Myles Simmons of Rams.com reported on Twitter that "Tavon Austin is out for the game with a knee injury."

The second-year speedster was only targeted once and notched no receptions but was again utilized in the run game. He had two carries for 21 yards, one being an 18-yard scamper, before exiting the game.

The Rams have targets such as Kenny Britt, Brian Quick and Austin Pettis to help in the passing game, but there's no real replacement for Austin in this offense. Without him in the fold, and quarterback Sam Bradford already missing, the Rams should rely on their impressive ground game and running back Zac Stacy (19 carries for 71 yards on Sunday) even more.

Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers

Denis Poroy/Associated Press

Update

Per Bleacher Report's Will Carroll, Ryan Mathews is expected to miss two to four weeks with a sprained MCL. An MRI on Monday will officially determine his timetable and injury, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (via Michael Fabiano of NFL.com). 

—End of update—

The San Diego Chargers notched one of the biggest upsets of this young season by knocking off the defending champion Seattle Seahawks 30-21, but it came at a price as Mathews left with what looked to be a serious injury.

Per Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego, Mathews struggled to leave the field: "Ryan Mathews carried onto cart. Unable to put any pressure on his right leg. Apparent knee injury."

ESPN.com's Eric D. Williams added more on the situation: "With 12:22 left in the game, Mathews suffered the injury while trying to recover a fumble. Eddie Royal recovered the ball." Williams' colleague, Adam Schefter, tweeted that there was concern the running back had a sprained MCL, and he would undergo an MRI.

Injury concerns have been nothing new for Mathews, with lingering problems hampering his early career with the Chargers. He played a full season for the first time in 2013.

Danny Woodhead was already splitting carries with Mathews in the backfield, so he should expect his role to expand considerably should Mathews miss a big chunk of the season. Donald Brown should also emerge even more as the bruiser in the backfield, as he had an effective seven carries for 21 yards against Seattle.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins

USA TODAY Sports

Update

Luckily, the quarterback did not suffer a fractured ankle, according to John Keim of ESPN.com, but it is still uncertain as to how much time he will miss due to the dislocation.

—End of Update—

Robert Griffin III is again mired in an injury problem, and this one doesn't look good for the Washington Redskins.

While scrambling out of the pocket, Griffin lost his footing and appeared to land awkwardly on his ankle in a noncontact injury. After being carted off the field, he was diagnosed with a dislocated ankle, according to the Redskins' Twitter account: "Gruden: @RGIII has a dislocated ankle; will undergo more tests tomorrow. Does not know length of time he will miss as of today."

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports described the scene as RG3 left the field: "And now RGIII is getting carted off with an aircast on his left ankle and foot. Doesn't look good for him," La Canfora tweeted.

Despite losing the season opener against the Texans, Griffin impressed in Week 1, going 29-of-37 passing for 267 yards. His ability to lead the Redskins to the playoffs was very much in question entering 2014, but for once, he looked to be 100 percent healthy.

At least on Sunday, the Redskins didn't need RG3. Kirk Cousins entered in relief and led Washington to a lopsided 41-10 win over Jacksonville. But with Cousins now as the starter for the near future, he'll be put to the ultimate test.

DeSean Jackson, WR, Redskins

USA TODAY Sports

Update

ESPN's Schefter noted DeSean Jackson "sprained his AC joint in his shoulder" in the 41-10 win against the Jaguars.

—End of update—

As if losing Griffin III wasn't enough, Jackson went down as well for the Redskins in the first quarter of their Week 2 affair against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jackson laid out to attempt a big catch on an offering from Cousins that fell incomplete. He took a nasty spill onto his shoulder. ESPN's SportsCenter reported on Twitter that Jackson was ruled out for the game: "More bad news for Redskins. WR DeSean Jackson OUT for remainder game with shoulder injury."

Jackson caught one pass for 19 yards from Griffin—the play during which RG3 injured his ankle—before both left the game with their respective injuries.

In his first season since coming from NFC East rival Philadelphia, Jackson has wasted no time emerging as one of the Redskins' top wideouts. He caught eight of nine passes thrown his way in his Washington debut for 62 yards, and he was being targeted early by both Griffin and Cousins before leaving Sunday's game.

With Pierre Garcon in the fold and tight end Niles Paul making big plays on Sunday, the Redskins offense survived just fine. But if both Jackson and Griffin are out of the mix for any stretch of time, it will put head coach Jay Gruden and Co. in a tough spot.

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Dolphins

USA TODAY Sports

Update

According to a Pro Football Talk source, Knowshon Moreno dislocated his elbow and is expected to be out four weeks. 

—End of update—

Moreno had a high-flying debut with the Miami Dolphins, but his Week 2 performance against the Buffalo Bills was cut short as he left the game with an elbow injury.

The Miami running back grasped at his elbow in pain after a hard first-quarter hit, and the Dolphins soon ruled him out for the game, per Twitter, simply calling it an "elbow injury."

David J. Chao, a former NFL physician, weighed in on what he saw of the injury, noting that the elbow bent out of place and that Moreno may miss a few weeks.

"Classic L elbow subluxation/dislocation mechanism for @knowshonmoreno@MiamiDolphins OUT. Doubt fracture. No surgery. Likely 2-4 wk return," Chao tweeted. 

Moreno was a big part of the Dolphins' surprise win over the Patriots in Week 1, rushing for 134 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. He got hit on his first carry against Buffalo, moving the ball just once for four yards before leaving the game.

Lamar Miller had 11 carries for 46 yards in Moreno's place, but there's no doubt that this offense will be a shell of what it could be without Moreno healthy.

A.J. Green, WR, Bengals

Al Behrman/Associated Press

Update

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Bengals wideout A.J. Green suffered "turf toe" in Sunday's game, and "more tests" will determine any length of time he'll be out. 

—End of update—

The hits just kept coming to some of the NFL's biggest stars on the offensive side, as Green left his Week 2 contest early with a toe injury.

The Associated Press' Joe Kay reported the news that Green would not return: "AJ Green won't return to game because of injured right toe," Kay tweeted.

There's no word on whether Green's toe injury is related to the foot problem that kept him out of Thursday's practice. Prior to the game, according to a source, per Jeff Darlington of NFL Network, missing the practice wasn't a cause for concern. 

The Bengals didn't necessarily need Green on Sunday as Cincinnati took it to the Atlanta Falcons 24-10, but in the future it could pose some big-time problems, especially with Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert already on the shelf.

Should Green be forced to miss any more games, it could really put quarterback Andy Dalton in a tough spot. He has a formidable running game to rely on, but his passing success has largely revolved around Green's playmaking ability; he may struggle without his favorite receiver.

Jason McCourty, CB, Titans

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

Update

Head coach Ken Whisenhunt expects Jason McCourty back for the Titans' Week 3 contest, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.

—End of update—

The Tennessee Titans lost their best cornerback at the wrong time, as McCourty left Tennessee's home opener against the Dallas Cowboys with a groin injury.

McCourty left the game before halftime and did not return to the field afterward. The Titans announced his injury on Twitter with his return marked "questionable," but they didn't risk re-inserting him into the game.

Depending on the seriousness of McCourty's injury, they might have wanted to consider doing so. When he left the game, Dallas' Tony Romo began finding Dez Bryant, who was gashing the Titans secondary without its best cover corner.

Around the NFL tweeted the following: "Titans really missed McCourty on TD drive. Dez doing work on Wreh-Wilson and Sensabaugh, including push-off TD."

McCourty had two interceptions in Week 1 against the Chiefs and looked to be a big-time contributor in replacing Alterraun Verner in the Titans secondary. If McCourty is forced to miss any more time, Coty Sensabaugh is the most likely starting option alongside Blidi Wreh-Wilson. 

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Bengals

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

For the second straight week, Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict went down with a head injury and did not return to the game. 

Burfict left the Bengals' season opener with a concussion last weekend and had to pass league protocol to participate in Sunday's game. The incident that knocked him out Sunday didn't look like an especially bad blow, but he was visibly shaken up anyway.

Cincinnati initially called his return "probable," per Around the NFL. But soon after, he was ruled out for the game, per Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson.

Head injuries have become increasingly worrisome across the league in recent seasons, and the obvious evidence of recurring issues for Burfict will certainly force those treating him to exercise even more caution throughout the week.

Burfict won't be easily replaced in the Bengals defense, especially with backup Sean Porter being ruled inactive for Sunday's game.

Kevin Zeitler, G, Bengals

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Update

Unfortunately, according to Joe Danneman of Fox 19, Zeitler was seen on crutches in the team's locker room.

—End of Update—

Few teams had a better day in terms of production than the Cincinnati Bengals, but no squad felt the injury bug worse. Starting guard Kevin Zeitler was one of many Bengals to leave their Week 2 affair against the Falcons and not return.

Richard Skinner of The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Zeitler left early in the game with a calf injury, although it wasn't announced until late that he would be out for the contest: "Zeitler officially declared out, but he hasn't been back since going out late in first half."

The Bengals didn't skip a beat without one of their most important offensive linemen in the fold, emerging with a 24-10 win over the Falcons.

Dalton's Bengals are now 2-0, and there are a lot of reasons for that, but if the injuries—especially on the offensive side—continue to pile up, that undefeated record could soon be squashed.

Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Update

News wasn't good for Lewis on Monday. According to Ken Hornack of  Fox Sports, the team announced the tight end would miss six to eight weeks with a high left ankle sprain.

—End of Update—

The Jaguars' lone bright spot on offense in their Week 2 stomping from the Redskins ended up leaving the game. Tight end Marcedes Lewis suffered an ankle injury and did not return.

The Jaguars announced late in the game that he would not come back.

Before suffering the injury, Lewis gave the Jaguars their only splash play of the day on offense. He caught a 63-yard touchdown strike from Chad Henne, at the time cutting the deficit to 21-7 just before halftime.

Jacksonville didn't keep up the momentum, instead losing 41-10 to the Cousins-led Redskins. Lewis finished with two catches for 71 yards and his touchdown.

After a surprising first half against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, it's been more of the same for the Jaguars. The offensive line is nonexistent, playmakers are rare and the defense has struggled mightily in its two opening games.

With that said, Lewis is one of the best things Jacksonville has going for it right now. If he is forced to miss time, the Jags might become even less competitive.

Roy Helu, RB, Redskins

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Update

The team's official Twitter account listed Helu as day to day with a quad strain.

—End of Update— 

Roy Helu's exit didn't come early on Sunday like those of his high-profile teammates, but the Redskins running back added to the team's injury woes by leaving Washington's game against the Jaguars. 

As Fox Sports' Ross Jones reported, the Redskins announced Helu's absence with a knee injury late in the fourth quarter: "Hits keep coming. Redskins announce RB Roy Helu out with knee injury."

Needless to say, Gruden's team didn't need any more setbacks. Griffin III exited the game with what looked to be a serious ankle injury, and Jackson left with a shoulder injury soon after.

As for Washington's running game, it's typically in very good shape with Alfred Morris as the workhorse feature back. He had a big game on Sunday with 22 carries for 85 yards and two touchdowns, but the Redskins also made it clear that they prefer to include Helu often, as well as Silas Redd. 

Morris might be clicking enough to get the lion's share of the carries, but Washington will need some sort of contribution from the No. 2 spot if Helu can't go in Week 3.