Injury updates on Allen Lazard, Alvin Kamara, Damien Williams and others

As Week 2 of the NFL season continues, injuries have caused teams to dig into their depth charts and make a few changes to their rotations.

The Dallas Cowboys suffered a massive loss in Week 1 after quarterback Dak Prescott fractured his right thumb against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jerry Jones, the general manager and owner of Prescott, said that Prescott will not be placed on the injured reserve as the team wants him to “be considered for playing for us in the next four games.” “

The Seattle Seahawks also lost a star player. Safety Jamal Adams is expected to be out for the year after suffering a quadriceps tendon injury against the Denver Broncos on Monday.

New York Giants rookie pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux could make his NFL debut against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. On Thursday, Thibodeaux said he’s “really confident” in his chances to play after missing the opener because of a sprained right MCL he suffered in the second preseason game.

Here are more Week 2 injury developments from our NFL Nation reporters:

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Damien Williams, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Injury: Rib

Williams, who suffered a rib injury in the team’s Week 1 loss to New Orleans, will not play against the Rams. Although it is not likely to be a serious injury, it will place Atlanta in a different running position.

Rookie Tyler Allgeier is likely to get some of Williams’ work along with perhaps more of a featured running role for Cordarrelle Patterson. This is similar to the situation that occurred after Williams was hurt this Sunday, but with a smaller number of carries.

— Michael Rothstein

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Injury: Knee

Dobbins fully participated in every practice this week, which is the first time that’s happened all year. It’s not clear if Dobbins will play Sunday. Dobbins, who is officially listed as questionable, was noncommittal on whether he would play in his first game since January 2021. Dobbins said after practice that “we’ll see.” “That’s all I have to say. But I don’t really know. I don’t really know. I hope so. Maybe I am. Maybe not. If Dobbins doesn’t play, Baltimore will rely on Kenyan Drake to carry the load.

— Jamison Hensley

Shi Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers

Injury: Groin

The Panthers already had to adjust when Smith was named the punt returner after veteran Andre Roberts (knee) went on injured reserve following the opener. They may have to again, as Smith was added on the injury report Friday. Although Smith was considered to be on the “good side” of questionable, Coach Matt Rhule said that Smith is still a possibility. Laviska Shenault Jr. or DJ Moore could step into that role. Rashard Higgins or Terrace Marshall Jr. Smith could be promoted to the third receiver position. Rhule said Marshall had a great week of practice.

— David Newton

Allen Lazard, WR, Green Bay Packers

Injury: Ankle

Lazard has a better chance to play this week than he did last week, when he was listed as doubtful and did not suit up for the opener at Minnesota. He was able to complete the entire week of practice, albeit with only limited reps, without any setbacks and was then upgraded to questionable. Aaron Rodgers had Lazard as their new No. 1 receiver before he was stepped on, causing his ankle injury. 1 receiver. Lazard stated this week, “I felt very positive and very confident about my ability.” “I still feel positive about the future of the year. It was a minor mishap that allowed us to get back on track. “

— Rob Demovsky

Shaquille Leonard, LB, Indianapolis Colts

Injury: Back

Leonard’s season debut will have to wait at least another week as he continues to work his way back from offseason back surgery. Leonard stated that he has made progress and has rebuilt his strength over the past week. Next week’s home opener against Chiefs will be Leonard’s first season debut.

Michael Pittman Jr., WR

Injury: Quad

Pittman began experiencing pain Wednesday and was removed from practice, but there’s optimism the Colts’ No. Jacksonville will have the No. 1 receiver. Frank Reich, Coach, said that he was optimistic that Pitt would be fine. “

DeForest Buckner, DT

Injury: Hip

Buckner is listed as questionable but plans to test his injury Saturday before the team departs for Jacksonville. Buckner is likely to play. In seven seasons, he has missed only one game because of injury.

Alec Pierce, WR

Injury: Concussion

Pierce took a huge hit against the Houston Texans that bent his face mask and he later developed concussion symptoms. He is now feeling better but not enough to return for Sunday. The Colts will need to replace him with one of their reserve receivers.

— Stephen Holder

Andre James, C, Las Vegas Raiders

Injury: Concussion

James suffered a concussion on the Raiders’ final offensive play of the Sunday loss at the Chargers, taking an inadvertent blow to the head from Joey Bosa while diving in an attempt to recover a Derek Carr fumble. James was taken to SoFi Stadium by an ambulance in order to observe the game. Rookie Dylan Parham, the new regime’s first-ever draft choice, a third-round pick from Memphis, is in line to start at center against Arizona. A week after starting at right guard. Josh McDaniels, Raiders coach, stated that “we wouldn’t put [Parham] into that position if he didn’t believe he could handle it.” “So, we are comfortable with him being capable of playing multiple roles.” James, who replaced three-time Pro Bowler and current Cardinals center Rodney Hudson last season, started all 17 regular-season games, plus the playoff loss at Cincinnati.

— Paul Gutierrez

Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots

Injury: Back/illness

It was an eventful week for Jones. He said that his back was fine and that he expected him to play against Steelers on Wednesday. But then he missed practice Thursday because of an illness unrelated to his back, before returning for the Friday session. After practice Friday, receiver Kendrick Bourne said: “He looked good. We missed him [Thursday], but he’s ready. Jones was removed from the injury list on Friday and will be playing Sunday.

— Mike Reiss

Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

Injury: Rib

Kamara is listed as questionable to play after he didn’t participate in practice Thursday or Friday with a rib injury. Kamara was unable to practice Wednesday due to injury, but he was able leave Sunday’s game against the Falcons in time. While quarterback Jameis Winston is also listed as questionable, he practiced on a limited basis all week. Kamara’s status feels a lot less clear than Winston’s. If Kamara can’t go, Mark Ingram would likely be his immediate backup, although he is questionable as well with an ankle injury.

— Katherine Terrell

Kenneth Walker III, RB Seattle Seahawks

Injury: Hernia

Walker is expected to make his NFL debut Sunday at San Francisco after missing the Seahawks’ opener while recovering from his mid-August hernia procedure. Before he went down during training camp, the second-round pick was looking as though he’d fill a big role in Seattle’s backfield alongside Rashaad Penny. The Seahawks want to rely on their run game to take pressure off of QB Geno Smith, and they could have more reason on Sunday in Santa Clara with rain in the forecast.

— Brady Henderson

Kamren Curl, S, Washington Commanders

Injury: Thumb

Curl was limited in practice Friday but went through drills during the week — though with no contact and he did not try to test his injured thumb by catching any passes. Curl stated Wednesday that a ligament in his thumb needed to heal. Curl was wearing a protective pad on the right hand, with his thumb stabilized by a mini-brace. If Curl doesn’t play then Darrick Forrest will again take over at strong safety after a solid opening game. Washington also can use Jeremy Reaves if it wants more speed in three-safety sets. Washington can use Curl to play, which gives Washington an advantage when the Commanders want a larger three-safety line. It would also help Washington defend Detroit running back D’Andre Swift.

Wes Schweitzer, G

Injury: Hamstring

Schweitzer is questionable and was limited in practice during the week. He was playing for injured starter Trai Turner, who missed almost all of training camp with a quad injury. Turner was able to play some in the opener, and even if Schweitzer had been healthy, there’s a possibility he would have started.

— John Keim