Week 2 NFL injuries: Will Travis Kelce make season debut? Texans top QB questionable

Editor’s note: Follow all the NFL Week 2 action with USA TODAY Sports’ live coverage.

The injury bug bit hard in Week 1, including putting an end to the season of one of the NFL's biggest stars.

A torn Achilles tendon that New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers sustained on Monday Night against the Buffalo Bills ended Rodgers' 2023 season essentially before it even began. And now the Jets, who beat the Bills in overtime, will give the QB keys to Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

Rodgers' injury is just one of many that has the football world buzzing as the NFL moves on to Week 2 in the regular season.

The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs fell to 0-1 without star tight end Travis Kelce, who missed the Thursday night opener last week against the Detroit Lions due to a knee injury. Kelce reportedly hyperextended his knee during practice Sept. 5, an injury star quarterback Patrick Mahomes called a "freak deal." NFL Network reported Kelce suffered a bone bruise and avoided a long-term knee injury.

But the Chiefs got good news on Friday when head coach Andy Reid said Kelce would be back on the field for Kansas City’s Week 2 matchup on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Here’s the USA TODAY NFL injury tracker heading into Week 2 of the NFL season:

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Star tight ends expected to make season debuts

After T.J. Hockenson scored two touchdowns Thursday night, it’ll be nice to see two more star tight ends make their season debuts on Sunday.Chiefs star Travis Kelce and Ravens standout Mark Andrews are expected to play their first games of the season today.Kelce will play against the Jaguars, according to ESPN, after missing Kansas City’s Week 1 loss against the Lions.Andrews, who is dealing with a quad injury, is expected to play today against the Bengals, according to NFL Network. He was upgraded to a full participant in practice Friday.

Texans’ QB expected to start Sunday

Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, who was questionable to play due to a right shoulder injury, is expected to play Sunday, according to NFL Network.Stroud, the No. 2 pick, will face off against No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts.But the Texans could be without franchise left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who has a knee injury, according to ESPN.

Chargers’ edge rusher on track Sunday

The Chargers, looking to bounce back from a loss last week, won’t have Austin Ekeler (ankle) against the Titans today.But edge rusher Joey Bosa (hamstring) is expected to play, according to NFL Network.

Titans’ WR expected to play

New Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins is expected to play today despite an ankle injury, NFL Network reported. Hopkins did not practice this week.

Packers going without two starters Sunday

Green Bay hopes to improve to 2-0, but will be without running back Aaron Jones and receiver Christian Watson, both dealing with hamstring injuries, per NFL Network.

Browns receiver questionable vs. Steelers

Browns receiver Amari Cooper aggravated his groin muscle during Saturday's practice, ESPN reported. He's listed as questionable for Monday night's game vs. the Steelers.

Seahawks' starting tackles both out vs. Lions

The Seattle Seahawks will be without both of their starting offensive tackles for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. Left tackle Charles Cross is out with a toe injury, and right tackle Abraham Lucas was placed on IR earlier this week with a knee injury.

On the other side of the field, the Lions may be without left tackle Taylor Decker. The offensive lineman is listed as doubtful due to an ankle injury.

Ravens will be without key contributors vs. Bengals

Baltimore announced that three starters who suffered Week 1 injuries will not play in Cincinnati: Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee), center Tyler Linderbaum (ankle), and safety Marcus Williams (pec). Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey's season debut will also be delayed another week as he will miss Sunday's game while he continues to recover from an August foot surgery.

Chargers could be lacking major star power vs. Titans

Running back Austin Ekeler, the NFL's back-to-back touchdown king, is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans due to an ankle injury. Star pass rusher Joey Bosa is listed as questionable for Los Angeles with a hamstring injury.

Frank Clark out for Broncos

Three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Frank Clark will not take the field Sunday for the Denver Broncos against the Washington Commanders due to a hip injury he suffered in practice this week.

Vikings lose offensive lineman for the season

Minnesota Vikings guard Oli Udoh tore a quadriceps tendon and is out for the season, head coach Kevin O'Connell announced on Friday. The fifth-year offensive lineman, who was carted off during Thursday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, started for the injured Christian Darrisaw, who is dealing with an ankle injury.

— Ellen J. Horrow

Texans' rookie QB C.J. Stroud questionable for Sunday's game

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, who the Houston Texans drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in April, is dealing with a right shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Stroud started the Texans' season opener against the Baltimore Ravens and put up solid numbers despite a 25-9 loss, completing 28 of 44 passes for 242 yards. The former Ohio State star was sacked five times, however.

It doesn't help the quarterback situation in Houston that three-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil is also questionable with a knee injury. The Texans will also be thin at the safety position. Jalen Pitre, a member of the 2022 NFL All-Rookie team, will miss Sunday's game with a chest injury, and Jimmie Ward is out with an injured hip.

— Ellen J. Horrow

Packers' Aaron Jones, Christian Watson miss Thursday practice

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) and running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) were not practicing during the session Thursday open to the media.

However, Jones was in helmet and pads when taking part in the team stretch. He stayed in the Don Hutson Center to work with the training staff.

If Jones did anything with the rest of the team, the Packers will have to list him as limited on the injury report later Thursday. Coach Matt LaFleur said he would allow Jones all the time he needs this week to recuperate and see where he was, possibly waiting until game day for the decision.

If Jones can't play Sunday, the Packers would lean more on AJ Dillon, and have the option of using rookie Emanuel Wilson or bringing up veteran Patrick Taylor from the practice squad. — Tom Silverstein, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Ravens' Mark Andrews limited in practice again

Baltimore Ravens star tight end Mark Andrews was a limited participant for the second consecutive day Thursday.

Andrews is hoping to make his season debut after missing the Ravens' Week 1 victory against the Houston Texans. In Andrews' place, second-year tight end Isaiah Likely caught one pass for 4 yards.

Eagles will be without James Bradberry, Kenneth Gainwell vs. Vikings

Cornerback James Bradberry (concussion) and running back Kenneth Gainwell (ribs) will miss the Philadelphia Eagles' Thursday night matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

In Gainwell's absence, the Eagles will lean on D'Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny, who was a healthy scratch in Week 1's victory against the New England Patriots. Swift got one carry for 3 yards and one reception in that game.

The Eagles' secondary will also be without safety Reed Blankenship (ribs), and starting middle linebacker Nakobe Dean was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury.

Steelers' Cam Heyward expected to miss 8 weeks

Pittsburgh Steelers DL Cam Heyward will have surgery on his groin and is expected to miss about eight weeks, according to NFL Network. That puts Heyward's potential return around Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers.

The Steelers will look to a combination of players to replace Heyward, including Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal and Armon Watts.

Panthers' Jaycee Horn faces lengthy absence

Carolina Panthers third-year cornerback Jaycee Horn is expected to miss "extended time," according to head coach Frank Reich.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Horn, who suffered a hamstring injury late in the first half of the Panthers' 24-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons during Week 1, might need surgery and could end up on injured reserve.

Steelers' Cam Heyward to miss multiple weeks

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense got bad news on defensive end Cam Heyward.

The Steelers, who had a tough time slowing down the San Francisco 49ers in their 30-7 loss in Week 1, are expected to be without Heyward for "multiple weeks" with a groin injury, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Heyward was injured during the second quarter against the 49ers and played a total of 14 defensive snaps. He recorded one quarterback hit.

Ravens lose J.K. Dobbins to Achilles injury

The Baltimore Ravens are already a hobbled bunch after their 25-9 win against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Running back J.K. Dobbins suffered an Achilles tear and is done for the season, an MRI confirmed Monday, according to ESPN. The injury news was devastating for Dobbins and his Ravens teammates.

Dobbins’ injury luck has been unfortunate: He missed the entire 2021 season when he suffered a significant knee injury, and missed nine games in 2022 while recovering from the same injury. Now, this.

"Just kind of crestfallen for him," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Dobbins after the game. "We will put our arms around him, and he'll get into rehab, and he will be back. But yeah, it's really hard for him."

Baltimore had three other starters leave the game due to injuries: safety Marcus Williams (shoulder), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) and center Tyler Linderbaum (calf). All three will have MRIs, Harbaugh said.

Browns lose right tackle Jack Conklin for the season

The Cleveland Browns’ 24-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday came at a great cost.

Starting right tackle Jack Conklin suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee and will be done for the season.

Conklin was carted off the field after getting rolled up by Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson during the first half.

Eagles likely without starting safety for Thursday night game

The Philadelphia Eagles could be without cornerback safety James Bradberry for their Week 2 game Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Bradberry is in concussion protocol, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told reporters Monday.

With the quick turnaround after Sunday’s 25-20 win over the New England Patriots, Bradberry's status is very questionable.

Eagles to be without standout linebacker for several weeks

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean suffered a right foot injury during Sunday’s 25-20 win over the New England Patriots.

Dean is expected to miss multiple weeks, and could be a candidate for short-term injured reserve, which would keep him out at least four games, according to ESPN.

ESPN also reported the Eagles will sign former Titans’ first-round linebacker Rashaan Evans to its practice squad.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Week 2 NFL injuries: Will Chiefs' Travis Kelce make season debut?