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Week 2 Injury Wrap: Game-time call for Demaryius Thomas

Scott Pianowski
Fantasy analyst
Demaryius Thomas is a game-time call for Week 2 (AP)
Demaryius Thomas is a game-time call for Week 2 (AP)

It’s a moderate injury report for us to navigate in Week 2, but let’s be sure to do our diligence. Here’s a look around.

• Demaryius Thomas (hip) had a limited week of practice and will be a game-time decision before Sunday’s home date against Indianapolis. It’s the wrong time to have an injury, given how injury-ravaged (and otherwise mediocre) the Colts secondary is — this has “exploitable matchup” written all over it. At least the Week 2 slate is more balanced than usual, with seven starts after the 1 pm ET wave. As usual, Denver is set for a 4:25 pm ET home game.

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• Although Rob Gronkowski (hamstring) did some limited work this week, context clues point to him sitting out the home opener against Miami. At least the Patriots have an early start for Sunday, which gives fantasy owners time for their pivot. Gronkowski is officially listed as questionable. Gronk’s absence may or may not be a boon for Martellus Bennett; Bennett was primarily a blocker in New England’s victory at Arizona.

• Jamaal Charles (knee) remains week-to-week, and Spencer Ware (toe) was fine at the end of the practice cycle; lock-and-load on Ware. The only downside to Ware — he’s up against a solid Houston defense, and Kansas City is without its two starting offensive tackles.

• The Vikings are being quiet about their quarterback situation — oh that coy Mike Zimmer — but Sam Bradford is taking first-team reps and seems ready to step into the starting job. Minnesota hosts Green Bay (and unveils its new, indoor stadium) Sunday night.

• With Zach Ertz (rib) probably out a few weeks, Brent Celek becomes an interesting short-term rental. Carson Wentz will be challenged at Chicago in his first road start, but he didn’t seem out of place in an impressive Week 1 victory over Cleveland.

• With Josh Hill (ankle) out and Michael Hoomanawanui already on injured reserve, Coby Fleener figures to play a lot at the Giants. While Fleener’s flaws are well known and much discussed, he’s a solid rebound candidate.

• The Seahawks plan to start Thomas Rawls at Los Angeles, with Christine Michael the No. 2 option. As for QB Russell Wilson, while his ankle might not be 100 percent, he’s practiced all week and the club didn’t list him on the injury report. TE Jimmy Graham (knee) appears ready for an expanded role this week.

• Jonathan Stewart (ankle) is listed as questionable, but you get the idea he’d be probable under the old system. He had a full Friday practice. Look for him to go against the Niners on Sunday, and look for the rested Panthers to put it on the short-rest visitors.

• Miami lists Arian Foster (hamstring) as questionable, but he practiced the last two days. He’s going to play at New England. DeVante Parker (hamstring) did some work this week, but he’s a long way from fantasy relevance. There’s no guarantee he’ll suit up on game day.

• Kevin White isn’t hurt right now, but he’s been a slow study in Chicago — and the Bears reportedly are going to scale back White’s route tree. Perhaps White will start to figure out the pro game at some point this season, but he’s looked raw and overmatched to this point in his career. You can stash-and-hope if you want; he isn’t on any of my rosters.

• With Chris Ivory out for another week, T.J. Yeldon looks like a high-volume play at San Diego. The Chargers couldn’t stop the run last year, and Spencer Ware got them for 199 total yards in the season opener.

• Markus Wheaton (shoulder) might be ready to go Sunday against Cincinnati, though he remains questionable on the injury report. This early in the fantasy season, there’s no reason to be this aggressive on a fringe player.

• The Colts apparently aren’t concerned about WR T.Y. Hilton (knee), as he practiced in full Friday and isn’t on the injury report.

• Julio Jones (ankle) and Mohamed Sanu (ankle) both worked Friday and are not on the injury report. They’ll be good to go at Oakland.

• Tyler Eifert (ankle) remains week-to-week; he won’t go at Pittsburgh. C.J. Uzomah was the primary tight end last week, with Tyler Kroft slowly recovering from a knee injury.