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Monday's NFL injury and roster news for Week 2

After missing a quarter in Week 1, Duke Johnson might be out for all of Week 2.

The Houston Texans running back is considered week to week and a long shot to play Sunday against the Ravens because of an ankle sprain, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Johnson went down in the third quarter of Houston's season-opening loss to the Chiefs last Thursday. Rapoport added that it's possible the veteran back returns for Week 3, an indication that his sprain is not serious.

Texans coach Bill O'Brien told reporters Monday that Johnson is day to day while also expressing optimism about his reinforcements at running back.

"We feel good about the depth we have," he said.

It begins with trade acquisition David Johnson, who ran for 77 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries in his Texans debut while also catching three passes for 32 yards. Only O'Brien knows where it ends since Duke Johnson was the only other back to touch the ball against Kansas City.

In fact, backups Buddy Howell and Scottie Phillips have yet to log an NFL carry.

The Texans signed tight ends Pharaoh Brown and Troy Fumagalli and quarterback Alex McGough to their practice squad.

Here's other news, injuries and transactions we're tracking on Monday:

  • Titans linebacker Rashaan Evans was disqualified from Monday night's season opener against the Broncos in the first quarter for throwing a punch. Evans struck Broncos tight end Jake Butt with a right hand. The starting linebacker left through the stadium tunnel soon thereafter.

Cornerback Johnathan Joseph sustained an arm injury in the second quarter and did not return. The Titans announced the following inactives prior to Monday night's game: OLB Vic Beasley, RB Darrynton Evans, OLB Derick Roberson, TE Geoff Swaim, DL Larrell Murchison, G Jamil Douglas and WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Earlier in the day, the Titans placed cornerback Adoree' Jackson on injured reserve with a knee injury suffered late last week in practice. Jackson was already scheduled to miss the season opener. Earlier in the day, Tennessee also signed cornerback Tye Smith to the active roster from the practice squad and elevated running back Jeremy McNichols and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine from the practice squad.

  • Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter and missed the remainder of the game, according to NFL Network's James Palmer. Running back Phillip Lindsay (foot) was later downgraded from questionable to out, per Palmer.

The Denver Broncos announced the following inactives: receivers Courtland Sutton and KJ Hamler; linebackers Von Miller and Mark Barron; guard Netane Muti, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and defensive tackle McTelvin Agim.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner sustained a left ankle injury early in the second quarter and ended up sitting out the remainder of the game after being listed as questionable to return on the MNF broadcast. Starting offensive lineman Zach Banner suffered a leg injury in the fourth quarter and was carted off the field. Banner, along with guard Stefen Wisniewski (pectoral) who was also hurt in the 4Q, was later ruled out. Guard David DeCastro, who has missed only three games since the 2014 season, is inactive for Monday night's game against the Giants because of a knee injury. The other Steelers inactives: quarterback Josh Dobbs, running back Anthony McFarland Jr., linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III, defensive tackle Carlos Davis and tight end Zach Gentry.
  • New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate, who was questionable heading into the season opener, is inactive for Monday versus the Steelers. New York's other inactives: linebackers T.J. Brunson, Cam Brown and Tae Crowder, guard Shane Lemieux, offensive tackle Jackson Barton and defensive end R.J. McIntosh.
  • A CT scan revealed Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch suffered a clean break to his collarbone, Rapoport reported. Vander Esch will have surgery and is expected to return to action in 6-8 weeks, Rapoport added. Tight end Blake Jarwin suffered an ACL tear and will miss the season, Rapoport reported.
  • San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is dealing with a left knee sprain, Kyle Shanahan told reporters. He added that it may take until Wednesday's practice for the team to assess Kittle's availability for Week 2.
  • New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas suffered a high-ankle injury Sunday against the Buccaneers, but it's something he believes he can play through, sources tell NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Rapoport.
  • New York Jets coach Adam Gase told reporters Le'Veon Bell could be out "a couple weeks" with his hamstring injury. "I don't want to put a timetable on it," Gase said.
  • Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters that receiver Cooper Kupp is set to take over as the team's punt returner moving forward.
  • An MRI confirmed Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack tore his Achilles and will be out for the season. Indianapolis is bringing in three running backs for a tryout, including veteran Lamar Miller, Pelissero reported per the transaction wire.
  • An MRI confirmed Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski did not suffer a torn pectoral Sunday, Rapoport reported. While he still could miss time, it's not nearly as severe as it appeared, Rapoport noted.
  • The Chicago Bears added rookie linebacker Ledarius Mack to the practice squad. Mack is the younger brother star pass rusher Khalil Mack. Ledarius spent training camp with Chicago before being waived on roster cut down day.
  • Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Vinny Curry is expected to miss four weeks due to a hamstring injury suffered versus the Washington Football Team, per Pelissero.
  • Green Bay Packers right guard Lane Taylor suffered a season-ending knee injury that will require surgery, Pelissero reported. Left guard Lucas Patrick (shoulder) received good news on his tests and is likely to play Week 2, per Pelissero.
  • X-rays came back negative for Cleveland Browns rookie offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (leg), per the team. Coach Kevin Stefanski said it's too early to say whether Wills would be available for Thursday night against the Bengals. The Browns announced they have signed kicker Cody Parkey and waived Austin Seibert, who missed a PAT and field goal in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. Cleveland also placed tight end David Njoku (knee) on injured reserve. Rapoport reported Njoku has an MCL sprain and should return after three weeks on IR.
  • Cincinnati Bengals kicker Randy Bullock is undergoing tests for a possible left calf injury, Pelissero reported. The issue affected his late miss against the Chargers on Sunday but isn't considered serious, Pelissero added. Cincinnati will work Bullock out this week and have a Plan B if he can't go on a short week against the Browns. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said they won't pursue an alternative immediately as Bullock was projected to be a limited participant if the team had practiced Monday. Defensive tackle Geno Atkins (shoulder), who was sidelined for Week 1, would still be out. Guard Xavier Su'a-Filo (ankle) would also miss practice after exiting early Sunday.
  • Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores said it's too early to determine the severity of DeVante Parker's hamstring injury.
  • Former Chargers and Texans defensive back Jaylen Watkins is set to work out for the Lions this week, as Detroit was hit with injuries in the secondary, a source told Rapoport. Watkins, 1 of 3 working out, played for now Lions DC Cory Undlin in Philly, and that may give him the leg up, Rapoport noted.
  • The Jacksonville Jaguars promoted cornerback Sidney Jones IV to their active roster and placed defensive back Jarrod Wilson (hamstring) on injured reserve. Jones, a second-round pick in 2017, was waived by the Eagles less than two weeks ago.
  • Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn told reporters linebacker Drue Traquill suffered a broken ankle Sunday versus the Bengals and will be out a while.
  • The Atlanta Falcons are expected to sign wide receiver Laquon Treadwell to their practice squad, Pelissero reported. The former Vikings first-round pick was with Atlanta in camp.
  • Washington announced it has waived cornerback Simeon Thomas with an injury settlement.

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