Friday NFL preview: Injuries have stars' status up in the air
— -- NFL Nation reporters look ahead to what Friday has in store for each team.
AFC EAST
Miami Dolphins: The status of Dolphins starting safety Reshad Jones (hamstring) remains up in the air. Jones returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's session, but hamstring injuries are tough to gauge. Backup Michael Thomas said he will be ready to step up if Jones has to sit out this week. -- James Walker
New England Patriots: The Patriots' acquisition of WR Keshawn Martin from the Texans adds another pass-catcher to the mix, and perhaps more importantly, an experienced punt returner. It might be too soon to think Martin could play Sunday on the road against the Bills, but the Patriots obviously saw something they liked and we'll get our first look at him in team colors Friday. -- Mike Reiss
New York Jets: The Jets haven't played the Colts since 2012, but QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is familiar with their scheme and personnel. Fitzpatrick is a veteran of the AFC South, having played with the Texans and Titans. That's the good news for the Jets. The bad news is his record against Andrew Luck & Co. -- 0-4. -- Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Cincinnati Bengals: Friday is a day of relative rest for the Bengals, as they go through a low-speed walk through and take part in their weekly routine of "recovery modalities," a set of exercises designed to ease players' bodies into the weekend ahead of a more spirited walk though Saturday and Sunday's full-speed game. Some players will use Friday to stretch out sore limbs with yoga. Others may get cold-tub treatments. Even others, like safeties George Iloka and Reggie Nelson, will be using the day to fully overcome ankle and groin injuries they suffered last week. -- Coley Harvey
Cleveland Browns: The Browns find out Friday if Josh McCown is cleared from the concussion protocol. If he is, he'll practice and probably start ahead of Johnny Manziel on Sunday. The team also hopes to have WR Dwayne Bowe active on Sunday. Bowe missed the opener with a hamstring strain. -- Pat McManamon
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers know 49ers RB Carlos Hyde is a beast after his 168-yard, two-touchdown game in Week 1. Steelers defenders hope to contain Hyde with the front seven, allowing the defensive backfield to mix and match coverages. If Hyde forces Steelers safeties to help, it could be a long day for the group. OLB Jarvis Jones says the Steelers need to keep Colin Kaepernick in the pocket on rushes, which will eliminate big plays and hopefully force the 49ers into predictable running plays. -- Jeremy Fowler
AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts: Rhythm is a word quarterback Andrew Luck used oftenThursday when talking about the Colts' passing game. The Colts believe that's key when it comes to facing any team that likes to pressure the quarterback. The Jets are expected to blitz the Colts the same way Buffalo did in Week 1. "If you are in a good rhythm I think you have a good chance," Luck said. -- Mike Wells
Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Blake Bortles has thrown five pick-sixes in his 14 career starts, and two of them came against Miami last season. He threw No. 5 last week against Carolina and didn't bounce back immediately after the turnover, which is concerning because he had done that in the past. -- Mike DiRocco
Tennessee Titans: The Browns are hardly loaded with threatening weapons, so the Titans may survive a banged up secondary. Jason McCourty (groin) remains out, and Cody Riggs (knee) didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday. That means reserve safety Marqueston Huff may be the fourth corner against the Browns behind Perrish Cox, Coty Sensabaugh and Blidi Wreh-Wilson. -- Paul Kuharsky
AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs made plenty of mistakes, including two fumbles by Jamaal Charles, Thursday night. They have time to fix them as they don't play again until they go to Green Bay a week from Monday night. But the biggest problem may be regaining their confidence after a devastating loss to the Broncos. -- ESPN.com staff
Oakland Raiders: A point of emphasis this week for quarterback Derek Carr has been better efficiency on first-and-second downs. Carr lamented poor throws and general poor efficiency in Week 1 against Cincinnati that created too many adverse third-down situations. Carr said this Sunday against Baltimore the Raiders must have better efficiency in the pass and run game in early-down situations. -- Bill Williamson
San Diego Chargers: Offensive coordinator Frank Reich said that Chris Hairston, the likely replacement for D.J. Fluker at right guard, brings toughness, smarts and athleticism to the position. For a second straight season, the Chargers will start a different starting offensive line combination in Week 2. Hairston was signed in free agency to be San Diego's swing tackle, but he will move inside to start at guard for the first time in his four-year career. "He's a pretty good athlete," Reich said. "He's got good feet. He sees it pretty well, and he's very versatile." -- Eric D. Williams
NFC EAST
New York Giants: The Giants are focused on getting Odell Beckham Jr. and the passing game going Sunday against the Falcons. The eight targets Beckham got in the opener in Dallas were not enough, coach Tom Coughlin declared Thursday, and the Giants were taken aback by the fact that they didn't get the ball until the 11th minute due to Dallas' long opening drive. Dallas also played two deep safeties all game and kept Beckham and the rest of the receivers in front of them. Beckham will move around the formation Sunday to try to get loose against Atlanta's secondary. -- Dan Graziano
Philadelphia Eagles: Although practice is closed to the media Friday, the team will be on the field for its last full game planning session of the week. The Eagles have to find ways to attack the Cowboys' defense by using running backs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews. Meanwhile, they have to figure out a way to keep Tony Romo from getting too comfortable to life without Dez Bryant. -- Phil Sheridan
Washington Redskins: Redskins rookie outside linebacker Preston Smith continues to impress the coaches -- and they also get excited knowing that he can still improve a great deal. Smith's reps will continue to increase and he'll eventually take over for second-year linebacker Trent Murphy. For now, Smith's size -- he's 270 pounds -- is his biggest strength. While he's not a dynamic rusher at this stage, he can help them and already has, with a sack/fumble last week. -- John Keim
NFC NORTH
Detroit Lions: An interesting situation is developing this week in Detroit, as the Lions are going to have a decision to make Sunday when it comes to the Brandon Pettigrew role in the offense. Since he seems unlikely to play Sunday after not practicing Wednesday or Thursday, the Lions will either use a sixth offensive lineman in those situations (and there are many options depending on the circumstance) or put Eric Ebron or Tim Wright on the line. Both, though, are more receiving tight ends. That's something to watch. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers: This is just what the Packers didn't need heading into Sunday's game against Seattle: Another injury to a key starter. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga left practice Thursday with a knee injury. Bulaga, however, did not tear his ACL as first feared and suffered only a sprained MCL, according to a source. But he is likely out vs. the Seahawks. -- Rob Demovsky
Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings had too many "unforced errors" on the offensive line on Monday night in San Francisco, offensive coordinator Norv Turner said, and they'll finish up their practice schedule for the week trying to correct them. With a rookie ( T.J. Clemmings) at right tackle, a new starter ( Mike Harris) at right guard, an injury replacement ( Joe Berger) at center and a transplanted right guard ( Brandon Fusco) now on the left side, the Vikings are still trying to establish clear communication on the line. -- Ben Goessling
NFC SOUTH
Carolina Panthers: The next step for middle linebacker Luke Kuechly to gain clearance from the concussion protocol is to participate in a non-contact practice. That will come today or Saturday. If Kuechly gets past that, he will need clearance from an independent physician to play on Sunday against Houston. But for the moment it appears A.J. Klein is on schedule to start. -- David Newton
New Orleans Saints: The Saints aren't planning to take Tampa Bay rookie quarterback Jameis Winston lightly despite his Week 1 struggles (two interceptions, four sacks, less than 50 percent completion rate). But they do want to make it a top priority to keep him off balance and uncomfortable in his first NFL road start. Look for the Saints to try and confuse Winston by disguising some things rather than just try to overwhelm him with blitzes. -- Mike Triplett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Coordinator Leslie Frazier hinted there could be changes in the defensive lineup this week. Frazier wouldn't go into specifics but said rookie middle linebacker Kwon Alexander will continue to call the defensive plays. Frazier said Alexander needs to do a better job than he did in the season opener. -- Pat Yasinskas
NFC WEST
St. Louis Rams: Rams quarterback Nick Foles knows the Redskins well from his time with Philadelphia but expects to see new wrinkles after Washington changed defensive coordinators this offseason. His priority this week is protecting the ball and continuing to make big plays down the field. Foles was 7-of-8 for 175 yards on throws at least 15 yards downfield last week, a trend the Rams would like to continue. Eliminating the three second-half turnovers combined with those big plays is the exact formula the Rams are hoping to find from their quarterback in 2015. -- Nick Wagoner
San Francisco 49ers: With running back Reggie Bush missing practice this week with a strained left calf, attention turns to fourth-round draft pick Mike Davis, who is behind Australian rugby league convert Jarryd Hayne on the depth chart and was inactive for the season opener. Davis figures to be active at Pittsburgh, for which the team departs following today's practice. Still, both Davis and Hayne were working with the scout team on Thursday. -- Paul Gutierrez
Seattle Seahawks: If the Seahawks' offense struggles early at Lambeau Field, don't be surprised if they incorporate more no-huddle. The tempo got Russell Wilson into a rhythm in Week 1, and they'll need to put up points to compete with Aaron Rodgers and company. -- Sheil Kapadia