Week 2 of the NFL season was full of injuries. Big names went down such as Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart, Denver Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware and many more; however, in this business it’s always the next man up.
Jacoby Brissett QB, and Joe Thuney OG, New England Patriots
One of the most talked about injuries of Week 2 was Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo had been turning heads during the first two games in relief of suspended quarterback Tom Brady, until he went down in Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins with a shoulder injury. Brissett entered the game with a 21-point lead against the Dolphins at the end of the second quarter. Brissett showed poise in the pocket for a rookie in his first series. His first two pass attempts were incomplete on Julian Edelman drops, but finished the afternoon with six completions on nine throws for 92 yards. If Brissett is to fill in for the injured Garoppolo on Thursday night against the Houston Texans, then it will be the first time a rookie quarterback has started for the Patriots since 1993. It will be interesting to see how the rookie favors against the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt.
Joe Thuney performed well for most of Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. The offensive line surrendered two sacks to the Dolphin’s formidable defensive front featuring NC State alumnus Mario Williams. Williams was held without a sack and recorded one tackle. The Patriots went on to defeat the Dolphins 31-24.
David Amerson CB, Oakland Raiders
The up-and-coming Oakland Raiders fell short to the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 35-28. Once again the opposing QB, this time it was Boston College’s Matt Ryan, torched the Raiders secondary. Ryan threw for 396 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The lone interception was caught by none other than David Amerson in the redzone. This was the Raiders’ first interception of the year. Amerson finished the afternoon with eight tackles and one interception before leaving the game with a head injury. Despite going through concussion protocol, the medical staff is optimistic that the former Wolfpack standout will be active Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans.
Russell Wilson QB, and Stephen Hauschka K, Seattle Seahawks
After nursing an ankle injury all week, Russell Wilson started for the Seahawks against the Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks offense struggled once again this week, taking the loss 9-3. The Rams picked up their first win of the season, doing so without scoring a touchdown. The Rams’ defensive front went after Wilson all afternoon, sacking him twice for 15 total yards and forcing a fumble. Wilson finished the contest with 22 on 35 attempts and 254 yards. Wilson was leading a strong drive until Christine Michael fumbled the ball in Rams territory. Steven Hauschka scored the only points for the Seahawks on a 23-yard field goal.
Willie Young LB, Chicago Bears
After recording no statistics in Week 1, Willie Young was back in action against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. The seventh year vet recorded seven tackles, tied for the team lead and sacked rookie QB Carson Wentz once. The Bears season has gotten off to a rough start, losing their first two games and starting QB Jay Cutler suffering a thumb injury Monday. Look for the Bears to bounce back in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Philip Rivers QB, San Diego Chargers
After a disappointing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last week, the San Diego Chargers obliterated the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday. Philip Rivers led the Chargers to a 35-0 lead until the end of the fourth quarter, and once in cruise control, the Chargers sealed the victory 38-14. Rivers did not have the usual gunslinger statistics, but he was efficient. He was 17-for-24 with 220 yards and four touchdowns. With primary target Keenan Allen out for the season, Rivers looked to Travis Benjamin, a free agent acquisition during the offseason. Benjamin had a great outing, hauling in six catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Danny Woodhead suffered a season-ending ACL tear, but Melvin Gordon stepped in and scored his third touchdown in two weeks. If the Chargers can minimize injuries, look for them to be contenders in an up-for-grabs AFC West.
