• Bye week: Dallas, Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego
• PHI DE Kearse season over on last sack of huge game
• NE LB Bruschi returns
• BUF FS Troy Vincent to IR, rooks now starting safety tandem
• CAR MLB Morgan quiet on latest concussion and career implications
• CIN OLB Pollack done for year after scary neck injury
• MIN DE James done with torn ACL
• ATL DE John Abraham misses game
• STL DE Hargrove mysteriously AWOL
• New starting FS in Chicago
• Another shake up for DET LBs

Reserve LB James Darling will miss two weeks with a pulled hamstring and a week after looking like he had moved in the starting lineup, CB Eric Green is likely to be out with a hamstring injury. Matt Ware will see more work if he does.

A week after an apparently successful move to SLB, Calvin Pace was replaced in the starting lineup by Darryl Blackstock, who seemed eternally in HC Denny Green’s doghouse. Blackstock did nothing to improve his stock, as he didn’t put up a stat.

Atlanta
After an incredible debut as a Falcon in Week One, DE John Abraham was inactive on Sunday with a groin injury. Abraham said he expects to be ready for next Monday’s game at New Orleans, but has yet to practice this week. At best, this is a game-time decision, beware. LDE Patrick Kerney was limited by a right triceps injury, so he played mostly on the right side to protect the arm and was limited to mostly passing downs. Chauncey Davis got the start at RDE in place of Abraham, but Josh Mallard and undrafted rookie free agent Paul Carrington both saw significant work with Kerney being limited, as well. Carrington was the most productive of the group with 2 solo tackles. Kerney is probable for this week.

MLB Edgerton Hartwell missed his second gaming recovering from preseason surgery on both knees. Once again, Keith Brooking manned the middle, leading the team with 9 tackles (7 solo). Demorrio Williams continued to replace Brooking at WLB and had 4 solo tackles. Michael Boley remains the SLB and had 6 tackles (5 solo) and pass defensed. Hartwell is unlikely to be rushed back with the success of the Falcon defense so far.

CB DeAngelo Hall was all over the field. He had 2 picks, broke up 2 other passes, 4 solo tackles, and caught a pass on offense. However, he fumbled it, so it may be a while before he sees another.

Baltimore
MLB Ray Lewis was upgraded to probable. He has neck and hamstring issues, but is expected to start this week. He had 7 tackles (6 solo) and a pick. Lewis is off to a good start, but not as good as the other LBs. Adalius Thomas had two sacks, including one for a safety, among his 7 solo tackles and had a pick. He is probable with a foot injury and expected to play. Bart Scott had 5 tackles (4 solo), including one for a sack.

Rookie fifth round pick Dawan Landry led the team with 9 tackles (5 solo).

Buffalo
OLB Takeo Spikes was inactive after leaving the season opener with a hamstring strain. He did not practice Wednesday and is listed as questionable. Rookie Keith Ellison, who replaced him Week One, got his first career start in place of Spikes on Sunday. Ellison played WLB and had 4 tackles (2 solo, including 1 on special teams). Angelo Crowell replaced Spikes at SLB, but it didn’t impact his production. Crowell finished with 8 tackles (5 solo), a sack and a pick. MLB London Fletcher led the team with 10 tackles (7 solo).

The youth movement at safety in the draft looks like a great move for Buffalo after FS Troy Vincent was placed on the IR last week due to his hamstring injury. In his place, rookie Ko Simpson got his first career start and posted 4 tackles (1 solo) and a sack. First round pick Donte Whitner joined him on the first team at SS and had 7 tackles (3 solo). The young tandem should continue to start in the Bills defensive backfield. Matt Bowen was inactive again with a leg injury and special teams ace Coy Wire appears better suited to a reserve role on defense.

The Bills got to Daunte Culpepper 7 times, but top pass rusher RDE Aaron Schobel was not in on the party. He didn’t even put up a stat in the box score. LDE Chris Kelsay had a sack and third DE Ryan Denney had 3 sacks and a forced fumble in the first half. Kelsay edged Denney to keep a starting spot in the preseason, but after his performance last week (7 tackles) and Sunday, Denney will continue to rotate in regularly.

Carolina
MLB Dan Morgan’s career could be in jeopardy after his fifth (reported) concussion last week. He has not commented on his status, but missed last week after the concussion occurred in Week One and is not expected to play this week. Adam Seward should continue to replace him. Na’il Diggs was active, but did not play, as he recovers from a preseason knee injury. Chris Draft started in his place and led the team with 9 tackles (5 solo, including 1 on special teams).

After only 1 sack by the team last week, DE Julius Peppers posted 3 alone. DT Kris Jenkins also had one and DT Damione Lewis had his second in as many games.

CB Ken Lucas had to leave the game in the fourth quarter with a strained neck. If he can’t go, Lucas is questionable, Reggie Howard or rookie Richard Marshall would get the start this week.

SS Shaun Williams is doubtful this week after leaving last week with a foot injury. After seeing little action the last two years dealing with knee problems, Williams has been very good for Carolina. Colin Branch would likely start in his place this week if he can’t go. Branch was supposed to be their starting FS in 2005, but a knee injury ended his season.

Chicago
Rookie Danieal Manning has replaced Chris Harris as the starting FS. After success in Week One, he moved in to the nickel package Week 2, and now appears to be with the first team for good. You don’t have to rush to pick him up, but you can definitely get rid of Harris.

The defensive line posted all 6 sacks, led by 2 from DT Tommie Harris. DE Adewale Oguleye had one himself and shared another with reserve DE Mark Anderson. The fifth round pick is quickly establishing himself as an NFL player. Reserve DTs Alfonso Boone and Tank Johnson each had a sack, too.

OLB Hunter Hillenmeyer was inactive after suffering a concussion in the first game. Brendon Ayanbadejo replaced him and had 6 solo tackles (including 1 on special teams). Hillenmeyer is not on the injury report this week.

Cincinnati
In a frightening scene, LB David Pollack was taken off the field on stretcher with his head braced after a tackle in the first quarter. Fortunately Pollack appears like he will make a full recover, as HC Marvin Lewis said the injury was “not career-threatening”. However, Pollack won’t be back on the field this year, as he was placed on the IR with a neck injury. He will need to wear a stabilizing halo for several weeks while his vertebra fracture heals. Rashad Jeanty, who was the surprise starter when Pollack missed last week with a hamstring injury, and Caleb Miller worked in place of Pollack. Jeanty could get another start next week. Odell Thurman is still two weeks away from returning from suspension, so supplemental draft pick Ahmad Brooks may see more work. MLB Brian Simmons led the team with 6 tackles (4 solo) and forced two turnovers, a pick and a fumble.

Dexter Jackson sprained his ankle and had to leave the game. Kevin Kaesviharn replaced him and will start at SS this week, as Jackson has been ruled out. Jackson could miss a few weeks.

After a big start last week, DE Justin Smith had just 2 tackles (1 solo).

Cleveland
A thin secondary took a few more hits this week. CB Daylon McCutcheon’s season is over before it started. He could not overcome off-season leg surgeries and was placed on the IR. CB Gary Baxter says he may need to sit out this week after aggravating a pec injury from the preseason. He is doubtful after posting 10 tackles (6 solo) and broke up a pass. Baxter missed most of 2005 with an injury to his other pec. FS Brian Russell is questionable, still bothered by the elbow that required preseason surgery to remove his bursa sac. However, Russell has started both of the first two games and had 7 tackles (5 solo) in the game. Brodney Pool saw extensive work and had 4 tackles (3 solo) as well as a sack and a pass defensed.

The injuries problems didn’t stop in the defensive backfield. DE Orpheus Roye is doubtful after injuring his shoulder. OLB Willie McGinest was inactive with a calf injury. He was probable, but aggravated the injury he had during the week warming up before the game. He is questionable this week. Kamerion Wimbley started in his place. He had a sack among his 3 solo tackles. Chaun Thompson saw more work with McGinest out. He had 4 tackles (3 solo) and a sack. Matt Stewart started opposite Wimbley and had a sack.

Dallas
The Dallas front seven got came at slow-footed WAS QB Mark Brunell from everywhere, finishing with 6 sacks and hitting him 9 other times. OLB Greg Ellis led the way with 1.5 sacks on the day.

SS Roy Williams led the team with 7 solo tackles and had a pick.

After being a healthy scratch in Week One, first round pick ILB Bobby Carpenter was active for his first game. He replaced Akin Ayodele in the nickel package.

Denver
DE Courtney Brown was inactive again, giving Kenard Lang another start. Brown is not expected to play this week, either. However, DE Ebenezer Ebukan is emerging as the perhaps the only fantasy player with value on that line. The Cowboys former first round pick had 3 tackles (2 solo) and one-half a sack, after getting a sack in the season opener.

Detroit
With the success of the defense last week and Boss Bailey still recovering from an ankle injury, the LB starters remained the same. Paris Lenon was in the middle with Alex Lewis and first round pick Ernie Sims at WLB. Sims led the team with 7 solo tackles. Bailey rotated in and had an interception return for a TD negated on a penalty by CB Jamar Fletcher that would have cut the lead to 24-14 in the third quarter. Bailey steps in to the starting lineup next week with Alex Lewis having suffered a sprained left MCL in the first quarter. Lewis is expected to miss three weeks. Lenon is likely to slide over to SLB to replace Lewis, with Bailey taking over in the middle. The status of Bailey’s ankle is still a concern.

SS Kennoy Kennedy hurt his foot Sunday and has been ruled out for this week. Rookie Daniel Bullocks will get his first career start at SS.

Green Bay
On the first three possessions against the Saints, DE Aaron Kampman hit the trifecta, sacking the QB, forcing the fumble, and recovering it. Next DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila got the sack and forced a fumble recovered by DT Cullen Jenkins. Then CB Al Harris picked on at the Packers' 8-yard line. Green Bay scored 13 points off the three turnovers to take a 13-0 first quarter lead, but then allowed the Saints to run off 20 unanswered points and 34 in a loss by the end of the game.

DE Aaron Kampman is wasting no time proving his big new contract a good deal. After being one of the only bright spots on defense at Chicago in Week One, he was dominating against New Orleans. Including his one-man show on the first possession, he finished with 4 solo tackles, including 3 sacks, and forced 2 fumble, recovering 1, as well. He is tied for the league-lead with 4 sacks. The inconsistent KGB should continue to benefit from teams having to focus on Kampman. FS Nick Collins is also off to quick start. He led the team in tackles with 8 solo and broke up a pass.

CB Al Harris suffered leg cramps in the game and a shoulder injury. He is questionable this week.

First round pick WLB A.J. Hawk had 7 solo tackles and a pass defensed. MLB Nick Barnett had just 4 tackles (2 solo).

Houston
SS Glenn Earl got plenty of work as the Colts smoked the Texans. He led the team with 10 tackles (8 solo) and forced a fumble recovered by OLB Morlon Greenwood. Greenwood also had 9 tackles (4 solo), including a sack. Rookie MLB DeMeco Ryans had 7 tackles (5 solo).

Overall first pick DE Mario Williams had another quiet game, posting 2 solo tackles. The news up front was former first round pick Jason Babin, who technically got a start as the team was in their nickel package, and got his first sack of the season. As discussed in this column in the preseason, Babin is nice pick to have a relative breakout year for a pass rush specialist (Weaver remains the starter and will see more reps) now that he’s back to playing end.

CB Phillip Buchanon (ankle) and Demarcus Faggins (broken foot) were both inactive again. Faggins will be out and Buchanon is questionable. After losing Roc Alexander to the IR last week, the Texans are very thin at corner. The team auditioned players at CB this week, including former Cowboy starter Pete Hunter.

Indianapolis
The Colts put a hurting on the Texans, making them 9-0 against Houston lifetime, but the Colts left the game hurting, at least according to the injury report this week. DE Dwight Freeney limped off the field Sunday in the fourth quarter and did not return. He had 1 solo tackle in the game. It is reported he has a strained gluteus muscle. He is questionable and will be a game-time decision. DT Corey Simon remained inactive, he hasn’t practiced since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last month. He will likely miss at least another game. MLB Gary Brackett was questionable last week due to a calf injury and led the team with 10 tackles (8 solo). He is questionable again this week, but looks to be a safe play. OLB Gilbert Gardner had 5 tackles (4 solo), but is questionable with a hand injury. He is expected to play. DT Montae Reagor missed practice Wednesday with a sore knee, but is expected to play. With all the DLine injuries, the team promoted DE Bo Schobel from the practice squad last week and he saw time, sharing a sack with Raheem Brock, who also had another solo sack. DE Robert Mathis quickly returned to form posting 2 sacks and forcing a fumble among his 6 tackles (4 solo).

FS Bob Sanders is also dinged up and listed as questionable and is a game-time decision. Rookie Antoine Bethea started at SS for the second straight game as Michael Doss is plays through a lingering calf injury, but is one of the few not on the injury report this week. CB Nick Harper is questionable with rib and ankle injuries, but expected to play. Opposite him, CB Jason David has been battling a groin strain for a while, but should start. CB Marlin Jackson left the game with a leg injury, but was not on the injury report.

Injuries have prevented two rookies expected to provided depth from contributing so far. Rookie LB Freddie Keiaho missed his second game and is questionable this week, and not expected to play. He hurt his knee in the first preseason game and has been out since. CB Tim Jennings has been inactive both game with an ankle injury, but should be active this week.

Jacksonville
In an old school defensive struggle, CB Rashean Mathis ruined PIT QB Ben Roethlisberger’s season debut. Mathis seemed inside his head in the fourth quarter, twice picking him off, and just missing a TD on the second, to secure the victory. Mathis also broke up 2 other passes and 4 tackles (3 solo).

Rob Meier replaced Reggie Hayward as the starting DE with Hayward out for the season. Bobby McCray saw more work on passing downs and netted his first sack of the year.

MLB Mike Peterson (knee sprain) and DT Marcus Stroud (ankle sprain) again played through injuries. Peterson led the team with 7 tackles (2 solo).

Kansas City
Veteran safeties Sammy Knight and Greg Wesley staked a claim on holding their starting jobs. They tied for the team lead with 7 tackles and Wesley had a pick.

Miami
With just 2 sacks and no turnovers, it was a bad week if you played Dolphins. DE Kevin Carter and third safety Yeremiah Bell had the sacks. MLB Zach Thomas had just 5 tackles (2 solo). FS Renaldo Hill led the team with 6 tackles (3 solo).

CB Travis Daniels was inactive again due to an ankle sprain. He practiced Wednesday and is expected to play this week.

Minnesota
DE Erasmus James is done for the season after tearing his left ACL in the fourth quarter on Sunday. He is the third significant defender the team has lost for the season, joining Tank Williams (fractured left knee cap) and first round pick Chad Greenway (torn left ACL). When the team lost Kenechi Udeze for most of last season, Darrion Scott was decent in his place. Rookie Ray Edwards might be the better fantasy pick. Even if he doesn’t beat out Scott for a job, his role as a pass rusher increases. DE Jayme Mitchell was signed from the practice squad for depth to take James’ roster spot.

CB Antoine Winfield suffered a concussion during the game Sunday, but returned and should be OK this week. FS Dwight Smith returned from a one-game team suspension and had 6 solo tackles.

MLB Napoleon Harris led the team with 10 tackles (9 solo), including a sack. He also had a sack and forced fumble reversed in overtime when the play was challenged and ruled an incomplete pass.

New England
ILB Tedy Bruschi returned after being inactive Week One. He had 6 tackles (4 solo), an INT and broke up another pass. His return bumped Mike Vrabel back outside and Tully Banta-Cain out of the lineup, although Cain did get a sack in the game. DE Richard Seymour had his second sack in as many games.

DE Ty Warren led the team with 11 tackles (3 solo).

After Artrell Hawkins missed Sunday’s game with a knee injury and James Sanders was injured on the opening kickoff, the team worked out three free agent vets: Lance Schulters, Brent Alexander, and Keion Carpenter. All have starting experience and would add quality depth.

New Orleans
Mark Simoneau (MLB) and Scott Shanle (WLB) continue to start. Simoneau had just 1 solo tackle, but Danny Clark and Alfred Fincher continued to see mostly special teams work. Shanle was productive, posting 8 tackles (5 solo) and forcing a fumble. SLB Scott Fujita led the team with 9 tackles (5 solo).

DE Charles Grant was active, especially early in the game. He had 5 tackles (3 solo), almost had a sack, and forced a fumble that DE Will Smith recovered. Smith also had his second sack in as many games. Week One fantasy DT stud Brian Young injured his left shoulder during the game. He had just 1 solo tackle, but just missed a couple of sacks. X-rays were negative and a MRI appears to be precautionary. He is questionable. DE Michael Haynes was released a week after they picked him up.

Rookie SS Roman Harper had another solid game. He had 7 tackles (6 solo) and broke up a pass. He looks to be useful as a pass rusher. After tallying a sack in Week One, he almost got to the QB again Sunday.

New York Giants
His job looked in jeopardy after an injury-plagued 2005 and 2006 preseason, but WLB Carlos Emmons continued his strong start. He led the team with 11 solo tackles and broke up 2 passes. However, he did sprain his ankle in the game, although he is expected to be OK this week.

DE Osi Umenyiora had a sack, the only for the team on the day.

New York Jets
SS Kerry Rhodes led the team with 11 tackles (10 solo) and forced a fumble on a sack.

ILB Jonathan Vilma had 7 tackles (5 solo).

Oakland
While he proved to be a tackle machine his rookie year, one of the fantasy concerns of MLB Kirk Morrison was whether or not he could turn in the big scoring plays. In 16 games last year, he had no sacks, picks, or forced fumbles. In Week 2, he had his first career INT, as well 7 tackles (5 solo). Rookie WLB Thomas Howard had 7 solo tackles.

Injury-prone SLB Sam Williams was inactive with an ankle sprain. Grant Irons started in his place and had 4 tackles (3 solo). He had to leave the game with back and knee injuries. Both are expected to play this week.

CB Nnamdi Asomugha was inactive after spraining his foot in Week One. Journeyman Tyrone Poole started in his place and had 4 tackles (3 solo), as well as 3 passes defensed. CB Fabian Washington left the game with a strained hamstring, giving Stanford Routt extensive work as the team had to reach deep on the CB depth chart. Both Asomugha and Washington are expected to play this week.

DT Warren Sapp had 2 sacks. He has only had one multiple sack game each of the last two years, so it seems unlikely this will be a regular occurrence.

Philadelphia
DE Jevon Kearse was placed on the IR. He suffered sprains to all three main knee ligaments (MCL, LCL, and PCL) in his left knee. Kearse was off to a terrific start, after a sack in the season opener, he got Eli Manning twice before he injured the knee sharing a sack with DT Mike Patterson on the first possession of overtime. DC Jim Johnson indicates he plans to continue with the two-line, eight-man rotation, so all their ends get a bump. Trent Cole appears to be the biggest beneficiary. However, Cole is more comfortable on the right side, so Darren Howard will move to Kearse’s spot on the left. Jerome McDougle, who was inactive the first two games, will finally have a chance to start earning some of his money as a former first round pick. Cole had 2 sacks for the second week and is tied for the NFL lead with four.

CB Rod Hood started in place of CB Lito Sheppard, who is out indefinitely with ankle problems. Hood himself left the game with a heel injury and is doubtful this week. Joselio Hanson replaced Hood and should start again if Hood can’t go. The team signed CB Dustin Fox off their practice squad for depth with all the injuries at CB.

The Eagles played a lot of nickel and dime against New York, where OLB Shawn Barber is featured. He posted 9 tackles (8 solo) and greatly cut in to the time of Matt McCoy.

Pittsburgh
After a sparkling season opener, OLB Joey Porter owners were disappointed by just 1 assist this week. The other LBs contributed, with a sack for ILB Larry Foote, a pick for OLB Clark Haggans, and a team-high 10 tackles (8 solo) for ILB James Farrior.

SS Troy Polamalu played through a shoulder injury and had 3 solo tackles and 2 passes defensed.

St. Louis
WLB Pisa Tinoisamoa dislocated his elbow on a tackle in the third quarter and left the game. Dexter Coakley replaced him. Tinoisamoa will try to play this week with an arm brace.

DE Tony Hargrove unexpectedly missed practice Wednesday and Thursday. The absence was not excused, and team officials apparently could not get in touch with him at first. He reportedly was back at the team’s practice facility on Friday, but HC Scott Linehan said he won’t play this week. Rookie Victor Adeyanju will start in his place. The reason is a mystery, and Linehan didn’t offer details. His teammates seemed very surprised.

MLB Will Witherspoon led the team with 9 solo tackles and also forced a fumble.

San Diego
The Charges defense dominated for the second straight game, but it didn’t result in much fantasy-wise. They had no sacks and forced no turnovers. ILB Donnie Edwards led the team with 6 tackles (3 solo).

San Francisco
First round pick Manny Lawson had the first two sacks of his career. S Chad Williams also had a two-sack game. CB Walt Harris led the team with 7 solo tackles and broke up 3 passes.

Seattle
MLB Lofa Tatupu had a game-high 12 tackles (6 solo) and recovered a fumble. After missing Week One with a shoulder stinger, OLB Leroy Hill was back in the starting lineup. He had a sack among his 8 solo tackles. OLB Julian Peterson also had a sack.

Rookie Darryl Tapp has been an immediate success as a situation pass rusher. He had his first sack in the season opener and although he didn’t get one last week, he had 3 QB hits.

Tampa Bay
MLB Shelton Quarles returned after missing Week One with a groin injury. He posted 8 tackles (5 solo), as well as forced a fumble. He left the game briefly, but should be back as the starter, pushing Barrett Ruud back to the bench.

DTs Chris Hovan (ankle) and Anthony McFarland (hip) are both questionable. CB Brian Kelly was inactive with a serious turf toe injury. Juran Bolden started in place of Kelly, finishing with 5 solo tackles, including a sack. Bolden was dinged in the game, giving Torrie Cox some extra work, but Bolden returned. Kelly is questionable this week and a risky play.

SS Jermaine Phillips was a one-man fantasy wrecking crew. He led the team with 13 tackles (12 solo), as well as forced two fumbles and recovered one.

OLB Derrick Brooks had 6 solo tackles and a pick that he returned 63 yards for a TD, but the return was called back after an illegal block by OLB Ryan Nece.

Tennessee
FS Chris Hope (12 solo) and OLB Keith Bulluck (10 solo) led the team with 12 tackles. Not much else fantasy help, as the team had no sacks and forced no turnovers.

Washington
MLB Lemar Marshall continues to thrive. He had 6 solo tackles, including a sack, and broke up a pass. SS Adam Archuleta led the team with 11 tackles (9 solo, including 3 on special teams).

CB Shawn Springs was inactive again as he continues to recover from abdominal surgery in mid-August. He had to leave practice on Wednesday when he aggravated the injury. He remains questionable this week.