It’s Week 2 of the NFL season and the injury bug is going around the league. Injuries are always a horrible thing to happen, but they also give players lower on the depth chart more of a chance to prove themselves.
There have been many injuries across the league, but some of the more unfortunate ones for former Hoosiers include Omar Cooper Jr. being placed on IR and Marcelino McCrary-Ball suffering an ankle injury Sunday afternoon. On a more positive note for the Jets, D’Angelo Ponds made some massive strides toward finally getting back on the field. Kaelon Black played in a more limited fashion this week but still looked like he has what it takes to be RB2 for the 49ers.
While some former Hoosiers have suffered disappointing injuries, others are taking advantage of the extra reps available due to injuries around them. Kahlil Benson has continued to show off his talent and has been a huge talking point for the Chiefs, while C.J. West is starting at defensive tackle for the 49ers with Alfred Collins out.
Jump to a Matchup
49ers vs. Dolphins | Raiders vs. Chargers
Chiefs vs. Colts | Vikings vs Bears
Jets vs. Packers | Ravens vs. Saints
Steelers vs. Patriots | Texans vs. Bengals
Titans vs. Eagles | Giants vs. Rams
Panthers vs. Falcons | Free Agents
San Francisco 49ers vs Miami Dolphins [35-13]
49ers
[#26] RB Kaelon Black (2024-25) [RB2]
Kaelon Black was on the injury report with a groin injury after he began the week without a listed limitation. He was then limited in practice on Thursday and Friday and entered the game as questionable, but he was able to play.
He finished with seven carries and 25 rushing yards (3.6 avg), which was actually more rushing yards than Christian McCaffrey, who had 23 yards on 10 carries. He was only behind Brock Purdy (30 yards) in rushing yards for the team Sunday afternoon.
Black has been one of the more impressive former Hoosiers. After being drafted in the third round with the 90th pick, many people didn’t think it was a good draft pick, but he has continued to turn heads with how well and quickly he has assimilated to the 49ers offense. It will be exciting to see how Kyle Shanahan chooses to use him throughout the rest of the season.
Jordan James returned from injury and received four carries for 15 yards. James’ return threatens some of Black’s carries, but Black remains listed as the RB2 on the 49ers depth chart.
[#99] DT C.J. West (2024) [DT1]
West had a good week in practice. He is the starting defensive tackle with Alfred Collins out with an injury. He did not have a sack or tackle for loss, but he had three tackles in the 49ers’ win over the Dolphins. It’s great to see him move up. He still hasn’t made a major impact in the games yet, but he has done a good job playing his role.
[#14] QB Kurtis Rourke (2024) [QB3]
Not much to update for Kurtis Rourke. The second-year quarterback will continue to remain behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones on the depth chart. He was designated the emergency quarterback for Sunday’s game. Rourke is healthy though, which is good to see after everything he went through recovering from his knee injury.
[IR] Edge Mikail Kamara (2024-25)
No new official updates for Mikail Kamara since tearing his ACL. Last week, he posted his knee in a brace along with some of the physical rehabilitation work he has been doing.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers [26-14]
Raiders
[#15] QB Fernando Mendoza (2025) [QB2]
Mendoza is in a very ideal situation. He gets to sit behind a veteran quarterback and learn from him, and to sweeten the deal, the Raiders are winning as well.
Las Vegas is now 2-0 after its victory over the Chargers. Kirk Cousins went 19-of-29 for 253 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Cousins is a great mentor to be paired with Mendoza, and it will be exciting to see how he develops throughout his rookie season.
[#80] TE Ian Thomas (2016-17) [TE2]
Ian Thomas had some additional opportunities with starting TE Brock Bowers missing practice with a knee injury and eventually being ruled out for Sunday’s game. Michael Mayer moved into the starting role with Thomas behind him. Thomas looked solid, reeling in his only target for 11 yards.
If Bowers returns next week, Thomas will most likely go back to his TE3 duties, but he showed that he can be a target in the receiving game as well as a good blocker when his number is called.
[#37] RB Roman Hemby (2025) [Practice Squad]
Hemby remains on the Raiders practice squad and was not elevated for the Chargers game. There wasn’t anything noteworthy for him in practice this week. Ashton Jeanty, Mike Washington Jr. and Dylan Laube are still the active running backs on the roster.
Kansas City Chiefs vs Indianapolis Colts [33-30 OT]
Chiefs
[#70] RT Kahlil Benson (2020-23, 2025) [LT1]
Kahlil Benson has been one of the rising stars among undrafted rookies. Benson has become a huge story after going from an undrafted free agent who was expected to provide depth in training camp to starting at left tackle. With Josh Simmons unavailable, the Chiefs decided Benson would start at left tackle in Week 1.
Even though Benson hadn’t started at left tackle since high school, the rookie played 69 offensive snaps against Denver. According to Next Gen Stats, he allowed only one pressure on 32 pass-blocking snaps. Additionally, the Chiefs rushed for 220 yards in their 31-10 victory on Monday Night Football. His biggest mistake was a holding penalty that erased a Mahomes touchdown in the first quarter, but Kansas City was still able to overcome it.
Now comes this week, and Benson remained the starting left tackle throughout practice and during the game as Simmons was ruled out yet again. In his second consecutive start, the Chiefs compiled 523 total yards, 152 of those coming on the ground. Benson did a good job yet again. Outside of another holding call late in the third quarter, Benson put together another encouraging performance.
Josh Simmons is still the Chiefs’ starting left tackle when healthy, but Benson has now given Kansas City two encouraging performances in his absence. His standing and trust within the offense have definitely risen, and he has been one of the biggest stories surrounding the Chiefs offensive line through the first two weeks.
[#45] LB Cam Jones (2018-22) [Practice Squad]
Jones was not elevated for Sunday Night Football and remains on the practice squad. It’s somewhat disappointing given that the Chiefs entered the game thin at linebacker after placing Cooper McDonald on IR. Jones is familiar with the Chiefs, so we’ll have to see if they decide to elevate him in the coming weeks.
Colts
[#12] WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (2015-19) [Practice Squad]
Westbrook-Ikhine also remained on the practice squad and was not elevated for this game. However, he may be worth watching after Alec Pierce left the game with a heel injury following an 11-yard reception. Pierce was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. If the injury keeps Pierce out, Westbrook-Ikhine could be a possible candidate to be elevated to the roster.
Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears [9-3]
Vikings
[#4] WR Myles Price (2024) [WR4/KR1/PR1]
Price was healthy throughout the week and wasn’t under any limitations in practice. However, fellow wide receiver Jauan Jennings missed all three practices and was ruled out for the game, giving Price a chance to get more reps and time on the field.
Due to the weather Sunday, the passing game was heavily limited. It was a rainy game in Chicago and Price was only targeted once on offense for an incompletion. It wasn’t a very explosive game on offense either, so Price didn’t field many kicks. On the two he did get, he returned them for 42 yards total. He also returned a punt for 11 yards.
It wasn’t as flashy of a day for Price compared to last week, when he returned five kicks for 179 yards with a 68-yard return as well. The Vikings are 2-0 though, and Price has continued to be valuable on special teams.
New York Jets vs Green Bay Packers [17-20 OT]
Jets
[#11] WR Omar Cooper Jr. (2022-25) [IR]
Cooper is off to a very unfortunate start. After suffering an ankle injury in the Jets’ season opener, Cooper didn’t practice at all this week. He was then ruled out on Friday and subsequently placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Cooper will be out for at least four games. It’s disappointing after making a 30-yard reception in his NFL debut to be sidelined, but hopefully his injury doesn’t affect him for too long. It has been reported as a high-ankle sprain. Hoping for a speedy recovery.
[#23] CB D’Angelo Ponds (2024-25) [NB2]
Ponds made some real progress this week in practice. After being limited Wednesday, he participated in full on Thursday and Friday. Head coach Aaron Glenn even said Ponds was “ready to go” after missing training camp with a calf strain.
Despite being medically cleared, Ponds was one of the Jets’ six inactive players in Sunday’s loss. The depth chart still has Ponds as the second nickel back, so if the Jets decide to make him active next week in Detroit, he could finally make his season debut.
[#41] LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball (2016-21) [LB2]
McCrary-Ball was healthy this week and had a solid week of practice. His role as a backup linebacker and special teams contributor remained the same. However, his afternoon ended early. McCrary-Ball was unfortunately carted off to the locker room with an ankle injury during the first half and was then ruled out for the rest of the game. He did not record a tackle before leaving. Hopefully the injury isn’t too serious for the former Hoosier. We’ll have to wait for another update heading into Week 3.
Baltimore Ravens vs New Orleans Saints [17-24]
Ravens
[#13] WR Elijah Sarratt (2024-25) [WR5/PR2]
Sarratt was healthy all week in practice, which helped him get more reps. Ravens WR1 Zay Flowers did not practice Wednesday or Thursday before returning in a limited fashion on Friday and eventually being ruled out for the game. Rookie WR Ja’Kobi Lane was injured last week, underwent wrist surgery and was placed on injured reserve, moving Sarratt up the depth chart.
After being a healthy scratch in Week 1, Sarratt was active and made his NFL debut. He wasn’t targeted in the Ravens’ 24-17 loss, but this is definitely progress for the All-American receiver. He moved from inactive to active and is slowly progressing through the depth chart. We’ll see what the rest of the season has in store for Sarratt.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs New England Patriots [3-20]
Steelers
[#37] FB Riley Nowakowski (2025) [FB1]
Nowakowski’s week was solid. He got a few more reps with Darnell Washington missing Wednesday and Thursday due to personal reasons. He was active in Sunday’s game against the Patriots but did not record a carry or reception during the loss. He’s still got a ways to go to gain the trust of the staff, but his versatility has led to Pittsburgh keeping him around.
Houston Texans vs Cincinnati Bengals [6-20]
Texans
[#59] LB Aiden Fisher (2024-25) [Backup LB/Special Teams]
The season has started, and so have the injuries. While Aiden Fisher wasn’t listed on the injury report, fellow linebacker Jake Hummel was out and Henry To’oTo’o was placed on IR. Fisher was active for Sunday’s game and recorded one solo tackle, the first tackle of his NFL career. It came on special teams when he brought down Bengals returner Dohnte Meyers following a 25-yard kickoff return.
Due to injuries, Fisher is getting an opportunity to climb the depth chart and gain trust within the organization. There’s still a ways to go before the Texans are ready to start Fisher, but he is making good progress. However, the Texans suffered another loss, falling to 0-2 to start the season.
Bengals
[#12] WR Ke’Shawn Williams (2024) [WR6/KR1/PR2]
Ke’Shawn Williams was not listed on the injury report. However, the Bengals decided to make him a healthy scratch for the second straight game. He didn’t play, but the team still has him on the active roster and he remains listed as the primary kickoff returner on the depth chart. With Williams inactive, Dohnte Meyers handled the kickoff return duties. It’s a little concerning, but hopefully Williams is active for next week’s game against the Steelers.
Tennessee Titans vs Philadelphia Eagles [20-24]
Titans
[#79] C Pat Coogan (2025) [C2]
Pat Coogan has made his way onto an NFL roster, which is a big accomplishment for anyone to do. He is the backup center behind Austin Schlottmann. Schlottmann started again this week and remains ahead of Coogan on the depth chart. Coogan was active during the game and continued contributing on special teams.
New York Giants vs Los Angeles Rams [MNF]
Giants
[#41] MLB Micah McFadden (2018-21) [MLB2]
Micah McFadden’s availability for Monday Night Football is uncertain because of a neck injury. He was limited in practice all week and has a questionable designation going into Monday night. His status probably won’t be settled until the Giants announce their inactive players before kickoff.
If he is active, he’ll likely continue to serve as a rotational linebacker and special teams contributor, possibly in a more limited fashion because of the neck injury.
[#43] S Raheem Layne (2017-21) [Practice Squad]
Layne remains on the Giants practice squad. There have been no reports of any change in Layne’s standing or practice role. However, the Giants are currently dealing with injuries in the secondary, including Deonte Banks’ calf injury. Banks is a cornerback though, and New York has other cornerback options available, so Layne would not necessarily be the first player elevated if the Giants need help in the secondary.
Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons [34-3]
Panthers
[#80] WR E.J. Williams (2023-25) [Practice Squad]
Good news for E.J. Williams. He is no longer a free agent after signing with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad on September 17. After being waived by the Raiders during final roster cuts, Williams has a new home for now and another opportunity to work his way onto an active roster.
Free Agents
- S Devan Boykin (2025): Waived by Pittsburgh during final roster cuts.
- Received a workout with Seattle on Sept. 15.
- WR Jonathan Brady (2025): Waived by Las Vegas on July 27
- OT Trey Wedig (2024): Waived by Indianapolis during final roster cuts.
- S Louis Moore (2022-23, 2025): Waived by Miami during final roster cuts.
- TE Zach Horton (2024): Waived by Detroit during final roster cuts.
Discover more from Hoosier Huddle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.