NFL Week 2 insider notebook: Latest buzz on QB1 uncertainty, plus the Rams’ and Chargers’ rough starts
NFL Week 2 insider notebook: Latest buzz on QB1 uncertainty, plus the Rams' and Chargers' rough starts. We have the latest on three teams dealing with QB injuries, where the Rams and Chargers stand after bad Week 1 losses and more.
What happened
As we head into Week 2, insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been making calls to sources around the league for the latest news and notable buzz. Jump to: QB situations | Rams, Chargers concerns Coaching debuts | Rookie debuts Fantasy football takes | Notes and more buzzWhat's the latest on the quarterback situation for the Vikings, Seahawks and Falcons? But this is more about the Vikings believing Wentz's veteran experience puts them in better position with limited preparation time when a QB gets hurt in-game (as happened Sunday) and/or there's uncertainty about who's going to start throughout the week.
We'll see if they come out looking sharper in Week 2 against the Giants. play2:16Why Stephen A. says the Rams should exhibit patience with Aaron DonaldFowler: The Chargers' panic meter will rise if they lose to the Raiders this week. Skip to main content Skip to navigation NFL Week 2 buzz: QB questions in Seattle, Minnesota and Atlanta? 224 on testIndianapolis Colts23hStephen HolderNFL Power Rankings: Our post-Week 1 poll of all 32 teams, plus the best non-QB debutsKansas City Chiefs2dNFL NationJosh Allen carries the ball, the jokes and the Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills2hTim KeownHow family and fatherhood are fueling Jared Goff's Super Bowl push in 2026Detroit Lions4hEric WoodyardMacdonald opens up on Seahawks start: 'Most difficult stretch of my life'Seattle Seahawks7hBrady HendersonBryce Young's 4-1 record vs.
2hDJ Bien-AimeI caught a TD pass from Dak: 9 stories as Prescott nears Romo's Cowboys recordDallas Cowboys1dTodd ArcherNFL Power Rankings: Our post-Week 1 poll of all 32 teams, plus the best non-QB debutsKansas City Chiefs2dNFL NationTop predicted anytime TD scorers for Week 23hMike ClayEarly bets for Week 2: Four games worth targeting3dESPN'It hurts real bad': Bucs QB Baker Mayfield dons Michigan tank as Todd Bowles trolls onTampa Bay Buccaneers15hJenna LaineLooking back at NFLPA report cards — team travel edition: Who pays for the best planes, hotels?
The wider picture
Los Angeles Rams2dSarah BarshopBad game or bad sign: Which players should you be concerned about entering Week 2? Is there concern yet for the Rams and Chargers? It's all here, as Jeremy and Dan answer big questions and empty their reporting notebooks heading into Week 2. I could see a scenario in which Wentz starts this week with McCarthy as the backup, assuming Murray can't go. Fowler: That two-week stretch, from the second preseason game rolling into the joint practice with the Colts, was rough for Tagovailoa.
The Rams thought they could manage his knee injury with rest all camp and preseason, and it got exposed in Week 1. The Chargers need to beat the Raiders this week and look good doing it or we're going to wonder if it was all hype. Love it when camp buzz comes to life in Week 1.
What has been reported
It would be silly to expect Coker to regularly break off 33-plus points like he did in Week 1, but he's clearly part of the Panthers' offensive fabric alongsid Seattle Seahawks1dJeremy Fowler and Dan GrazianoBucs' Zampese: Browns had their QB1 in Mayfield and 'mucked it up'Tampa Bay Buccaneers16hJenna LaineSource: Texans star Collins injures hamstring, uncertain to play Week 2Houston Texans1hKyrie offers to pay Al-Shaair's fine for tribute to slain Palestinian girlHouston Texans12hMacdonald opens up on Seahawks start: 'Most difficult stretch of my life'Seattle Seahawks7hBrady HendersonBengals' Burrow has back tightness but expects to play vs.
Feelings: What eight notable Week 1 performances mean for Week 21dLiz LozaNFL playoff picture: Updated projections, chances to make the postseason2dESPN staffProjecting the 2027 NFL draft order: Which teams could have an early pick? Arizona Cardinals2dESPN staffNFL win rate metrics leaderboard: Ranking the best in pass rushing, run stopping and blocking2dESPN AnalyticsplayWill the Rams actually make it to playoffs? (2:07)Jeremy FowlerCloseJeremy Fowlersenior NFL national reporterJeremy Fowler is a senior national NFL writer for ESPN, covering the entire league including breaking news.
Week 1 saw the Seahawks, Vikings and Falcons all forced to turn to backup quarterbacks — and in Atlanta's case, it was a third-stringer. Where do those franchises sit at QB entering Week 2? Jeremy and Dan also asked around about a tough opening week for the two Los Angeles teams. Plus, they debated debuts for coaches and rookies then offered up their best fantasy tips based on what they're hearing.
What happens next
But how players work through the five stages of the protocol often varies, so it's tough to know Murray's timeline at this point. He got hot last week versus Green Bay, and Chicago just allowed 361 passing yards to Bryce Young. In Seattle, it's clear Sam Darnold will miss this week and possibly Week 3. Tagovailoa's injury, an oblique strain, can linger, which puts his Week 2 status up in the air. So, Cooper Rush starting another week wouldn't be shocking.
Atlanta will play on Thursday night in Week 3, so even if Penix is close, that might not be the best week to reacclimate him. How high is the panic level in the Rams' building?