With the weekend arriving, here are a handful of NFL injuries to keep an eye on for Week 2.
Dont’a Hightower/Rob Gronkowski: Already without Tom Brady (suspended) and Chandler Jones (traded), the New England Patriots might also be without linebacker Dont’a Hightower on Sunday when they host the Miami Dolphins. The fifth-year starter has missed practice all week due to a knee injury. Throw in that superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski remains extremely questionable with a hamstring injury and the Pats could be very shorthanded Sunday.
DeAndre Levy: The tackle machine finally returned to the Detroit Lions’ lineup last week after missing virtually the entire 2015 season, but now Levy is dealing with a new injury. He hasn’t been practicing due to a quadriceps injury, and will likely be listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
Zach Ertz: The Philadelphia Eagles tight end spent the week out of practice due to an injury to his ribs, so his status is very much in doubt ahead of Philly’s Monday night game in Chicago. Remember Brent Celek? Yeah, he’s still around, and he’d start in Ertz’ place.
Demaryius Thomas: While Troy Renck of Denver7 believes that the Denver Broncos wide receiver is “on track to play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, the reality is Thomas could be quite limited. “I ain’t gonna be feeling great,” he said this week, per the Denver Post. “But it’s getting better every day.”
Ryan Shazier: Despite dealing with a short week after injuring his knee Monday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker is confident he’ll be ready to return for a big divisional matchup with the rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The shorthanded Steelers could definitely use that boost.
