NFL: 11 Players Who Could Be Forced into Starting Roles for Week 2

Nothing in the NFL is ever a certainty.

Peyton Manning starting at quarterback for the Colts was as much of a guarantee as the sun rising each morning. However, his recent neck ailments have turned the entire AFC South upside down.

Injuries are a commonality in pro football and can play a major part in derailing a team's season even before it gets under way. However, the teams that can repair their damaged machine and continue running flawlessly are the ones that will be the most successful.

With the injuries that occurred in Week 1 of the 2011 regular season, here is a list of 11 players that are accustomed to being a back-up but may be needed to play a more integral role once Week 2 commences.

Dan Connor

While the Panthers see a bright future with a youngster like QB Cam Newton, they are currently in trouble defensively with the loss of veteran middle linebacker Jon Beason. Beason is out for the remainder of the season with a torn left Achilles tendon.

That leaves Carolina missing its best defensive player for the remaining 15 games of the regular season. Dan Connor, who starred at the linebacker factory known as Penn State University, will take over Beason's spot.

Connor got most of his playing time on the pro level in the last two seasons, where he recorded a combined 77 tackles and one fumble recovery in 24 games played.

With Beason out during the Panthers' contest with the Cardinals on Sunday, Connor had six tackles and showed he has the ability to stabilize the middle portion of Carolina's 4-3 scheme.

Bryan McCann

New Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan saw his squad play a solid game in a losing effort against the Jets on Sunday evening. However, they weren't without their share of injuries.

Starting left cornerback Orlando Scandrick will be out for three to four weeks with an ankle injury that he suffered at Metlife Stadium. This is just the latest ailment for a Cowboy secondary that has seen Mike Jenkins and Terence Newman beat up since the preseason.

In those tune-up games, Bryan McCann played well enough to earn a spot on the roster. Little did the team know, he would be needed to play a majority of the games in the next month. He participated in just nine games during his rookie campaign, totaling 15 tackles.

The 2010 season wasn't without its spectacular highlights, however. In November, McCann returned his first interception 101 yards for a touchdown against the New York Giants. Later that month, he took back a punt 97 yards and to the end zone versus the Detroit Lions.

Justin King

The St. Louis Rams were defeated and beat up by the Philadelphia Eagles in a 31-13 decision.

One of the many injuries came when Ron Bartell fractured his neck—a painful moment that could end his season and begin the search for a new starting cornerback.

Justin King came in and did well right away, making seven tackles and recording a sack on elusive QB Michael Vick. If he keeps up that type of production, the Rams will miss the services of Bartell a bit less than they anticipated.

Jacoby Jones

Jones will likely take his spot as the No. 2 receiver in the Texans' offense behind Andre Johnson for the next 10-12 weeks as Kevin Walter nurses a shoulder injury.

Ford had three receptions for 43 yards in the opener against the Colts, but his biggest impact came on special teams. Showcasing his tremendous speed, he ran back a punt 79 yards to pay dirt.

The drop-off in talent is not significant when you look at the stats. In the past two seasons, Ford has 78 catches for nine TDs. A plus for the upcoming week is the fact that Houston is set to face a Miami Dolphins squad that struggled to limit the New England Patriots' passing game. 

Donald Washington

After safety Eric Berry went down with an injury against the Buffalo Bills, his team personnel feared that it was a season-ending injury.

Unfortunately for Kansas City, it was proven correct when it was announced on Monday that a torn ACL would force the No. 5 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft to sit out all of 2011.

The loss of Berry, who was named to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, was evident as Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bills shredded the Chiefs secondary.

Donald Washington, a second-year player who has just 27 tackles to his credit, will be asked to fill Berry's important shoes. The first test comes against a Lions offense loaded with emerging stars in QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson.

Adam Goldberg

Tackle Jason Smith's ankle injury during the first half resulted in the insertion of Goldberg. He'll also be in the starting lineup when the Rams travel to the Meadowlands to face the New York Giants.

Although depleted, the Giants' pass rush is still formidable and knocked the Redskins around to the tune of four sacks last week. They could still pose a problem for a St. Louis offensive line that lacks depth.

Bruce Gradkowski

The former Oakland Raider made his debut as a Cincinnati Bengal when rookie starter Andy Dalton left the matchup with the Cleveland Browns with a wrist injury near the conclusion of the first half.

Prior to Gradkowski's entrance, the Bengals trailed 14-13. Afterwards, they prevailed 27-17 in Cleveland.  In between was Gradkowski going 5-of-12 for 92 yards and a key touchdown pass to A.J. Green that put Cinci on top.

With a veteran behind center, the Bengals are in good hands when they take on the Denver Broncos at Mile High.

Vaughn Martin

On May 8, it appeared that Vaughn Martin would be heading north of the border as he was selected in the fifth round of the 2011 CFL Draft by the Montreal Alouettes.

However, Martin bypassed the chance to play in Canada and opted to stay with the Chargers. Now, just two weeks into this NFL season, the third-year defensive end will be a prominent fixture in the San Diego line. The cause of this was Luis Castillo's suffering of a fractured tibia against the Minnesota Vikings.

Martin has seen limited action in his two years with the Chargers: 12 tackles and only one sack.

Robert Meachem

Meachem has experienced this before. When Marques Colston suffered a broken thumb and was forced to miss Week 4 of the 2008 season, the former University of Tennessee wide out saw more playing time. In that game, he had two catches for 99 yards.

Well, history repeated itself when Colston broke his collarbone in the final drive of the Saints' loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. The injury is expected to bench Colston for four weeks.

Granted, this loss will be a void in the New Orleans' passing attack. However, the insertion of Meachem into a more active role should be a seamless transition in an offense that utilizes many receivers and running backs.

Reggie Walker

The Arizona Cardinals' linebacking corps took a hit with the departure of Daryl Washington, who suffered a calf strain in Sunday's win over the Panthers.

Still, they were able to limit Carolina to just 74 rushing yards in a seven-point triumph. 

The replacement for Washington at the left inside linebacker spot in the Cards' 3-4 defense is a third-year player out of Kansas State in Reggie Walker that has just 22 total tackles in his NFL career.

Cadillac Williams

While QB Sam Bradford is likely going to ready to start in the Rams' upcoming contest, it is unlikely that his indispensable backfield mate will be with him.

Steven Jackson, who suffered a right quad injury while scampering for a touchdown, is not expected to be on the field for a Monday night meeting versus the Giants.

Cadillac Williams has been a member of the Rams for just over one month after spending the rest of his pro career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

That tenure, although had signs of quality production, was clouded with injuries. Williams missed a good chunk of the 2007 and 2008 campaigns. However, he has remained healthy since then.

The Rams hope he can plug the cap and be a reliable back for the foreseeable future, until Jackson is ready to return to the fold.