Week Two in the NFL ended up being the week where the injury bug loomed large. In particular, at least seven players were noted to have torn/or were likely to have torn their ACL, including Saquon Barkley, Courtland Sutton, and Nick Bosa. Notably, this did not include 37-year old ProCane, Frank Gore, who tore both of his ACLs while at University of Miami. Gore, in fact, is still going strong after he got the start at RB1 on Sunday against his former team, the 49ers.

Nevertheless, the injuries are something worth noting and the most likely cause? Lack of a structured preseason. Understandably, a lot of teams and individual players were working out together throughout the offseason. However, due to an abbreviated training camp and less contact/tackling, the high impact introduction to the live games at the NFL level were sure to result in an increase in injuries.

Another issue that may have contributed to the injuries is the cross-country traveling the NFL put in place when creating the schedules: in Week Two alone, the 49ers traveled to New York to play the Jets, the Rams went to Philly, and the Broncos went to Pittsburgh.

Let’s hope the injuries dissipate as the season progresses.

Before we get to ProCanes matchup for week three, I wanted to give a shoutout to the ProCanes of the week for Weeks One and Two. I didn’t get to crown anyone Week One, so wanted to get to that:

Week One Player of the Week: DE/Calais Campbell - Campbell only collected one tackle in Week One, but the 6’8”, 300lb and 34-year old big fella dropped back into coverage frequently, including in the embedded video below that resulted in an interception. In that video, Campbell’s initial reaction was frustration that he couldn’t come up with the pick himself.
Week Two Player of the Week: WR/Braxton Berrios - In his first start at WR, the 2018 grad was expected to get a lot of reps out of the slot position due to a decimated Jets receiving corps. Low and behold, Berrios also came out of of Sunday with his first career NFL TD, which, admittedly, was inconsequential in the result as the 49ers were crushing the Jets at that point. Fittingly, however, Berrios’ first NFL score came during #BeatFSU week. Even more, it is time to start considering Berrios as a waiver wire option for fantasy purposes as he continues to get his feet wet as a slot WR at the NFL level.
Week Three Projected Player of the Week: S/Rayshawn Jenkins - Jenkins has had an underwhelming start to his season, despite having more opportunities to breakout in his second season starting. This is especially true with the Chargers missing star Safety, Derwin James. A matchup against a Carolina Panther team missing Christian McCaffrey is a game where Jenkins could anticipate a heightened role.

Thursday Night Recap:
Miami Dolphins (1-2) 31 @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) 13

I understand that the NFL is trying to get every team a Thursday Night game, but the last two matchups have been pretty bad teams. For ProCanes in this matchup, Center and Captain, Brandon Linder, was inactive as he only played 39 snaps last week due to an apparent knee injury. Jags HC Doug Marrone has made it clear he’s not going to the IR and is currently listed as day-to-day. Linder has a 66.7 overall grade through two games on 89 total snaps. As one of the team’s best pass-blockers, the Jags cannot afford to lose him. Shaquille Quarterman made his first two tackles of the season last week, both coming on ST KRs. For the Dolphins, first year pickup, OL Ereck Flowers, continues to play well as he played all 75 snaps and 57.5 overall grade for season, in last week’s loss to Buffalo and all 61 again on Thursday. He has really been shining in pass protection where he has a 73.9 pass block grade according to Pro Football Focus. In addition, he has only been credited for giving up 1 sack through the first two games, which ranks 5th among Guards, and has only committed 1 penalty, which is ranked 10th among Guards.

ProCanes Updates
Jaguars:
LB Shaquille Quarterman - Week Two, 14 ST snaps, 2 tackles; Week Three, 21 ST snaps
C Brandon Linder - 39 snaps in Week Two, Inactive Week Three
OG KC McDermott - Practice Squad
Dolphins:
OL Ereck Flowers - Week Two: played all 75 snaps; Week Three: played all 61 snaps

Sunday Games:

Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) (+6.5) @ New England Patriots (1-1)

There are no ProCanes in this matchup but the Las Vegas Raiders are proving to be a surprise. TE, Darren Waller, broke out last week against the New Orleans Saints. Florida Gators TE, Kyle Pitts, who is one of the best TEs in college football not named Brevin Jordan, has been frequently compared to Waller.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
None.

Chicago Bears (2-0) (+3.0) @ Atlanta Falcons (0-2)

Da Bears are turning some heads even with Pro-ACC/Tarheel, but thus far NFL bust, Mitch Trubisky, at the helm at QB. However, the cornerstone of this program is its defense and Chicago can thank ProCane CB, Deon Bush, for one of its big plays on the defense last week. Bush recorded his first career interception on a short pass intended for Giants TE, Evan Engram. Daniel Jones tried to hit Engram across the middle but Bush was ballhawking over Engram’s left shoulder and read the play perfectly. The play changed the momentum as the Giants were in scoring position at that time.

Jimmy Graham continues to be the lead TE for Trubisky as he got 40 snaps this week but only recorded one reception. Notably, Graham’s snaps and targets decreased after a strong first week as the Bears implemented a more balanced approach at TE (Demetrius Harris had 36 snaps, Cole Kmet had 22, and J.P. Holtz had 7 snaps). Pat O’Donnell continues to be steady at Punter with two boots pinned inside the 20.

As for the Falcons ProCanes, DE Allen Bailey, continues to play a situational role and did again last week in a classic Atlanta blown lead against the Cowboys.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
Bears:
CB Deon Bush - Recorded one tackle, one PD, and one INT (first career interception)
TE Jimmy Graham - 1 reception, 18 yards
P Pat O’Donnell - 3 punts, 2 inside 20, 44.6 yards per punt, 51 yard long

Falcons:
DE Allen Bailey - two tackles

Los Angeles Rams (2-0) (+3.0) @ Buffalo Bills (2-0)

The lone ProCane in this matchup is Jaquan Johnson, but he has only seen action on ST and as a KR. Current Cane Striker, Keontra Smith, has been compared to Johnson.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
Bills:
S Jaquan Johnson - 21 snaps on ST

Washington Football Team (1-1) (+6.0) @ Cleveland Browns (1-1)

The Browns are coming off of their first win and earn a ten-day break as they seek another W against the Football Team. Filled with ProCanes, Cleveland needs a lengthy break as a number of defensive players are injured, including Canes 2012 DE, Olivier Vernon. Backup ProCane and Browns DE, Joe Jackson, was waived in the final cuts by the Cowboys but came up big with a fumble recovery at the Bengals 1-yard line midway through the third quarter when it was a one score game. FS, Sheldrick Redwine, continues to be used on Special Teams. David Njoku is currently listed on the IR after recording a TD in Week One.

Browns:
DE Joe Jackson - Inactive in Week One. 3 tackles and 1 Fumble Recovery in Week Two.
S Sheldrick Redwine - 2 tackles Week One, both on Special Teams
TE David Njoku - Placed on Injured Reserve after Week One. 3 catches on 3 targets for 50 yards and 1 TD.
DE Olivier Vernon - Inactive in Week Two. 2 tackles on 42 Defensive Snaps in Week One.

Tennessee Titans (2-0) (-2.0) @ Minnesota Vikings (0-2)

Rookie WR/KR, K.J. Osborn, was all of us on Saturday night watching current Cane, Amari Carter, lay the hit stick against Louisville per the embedded tweet below. The following day, Osborn returned 3 kicks for 66 yards. He currently has returned five kicks (ranks t-3rd in the NFL), which indicates he is not afraid to bring it out near the end zone and try to get it past the 25, in league where many KRs simply let it roll past. Take with that what you will.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
Vikings:
WR/KR K.J. Osborn - 3 KRs for 66 yards

San Francisco 49ers (1-1) (-4.0) @ New York Giants (0-2)

There are four ProCanes featured on these teams, but it does not look like any will see much action this week. For the Giants, S, Adrian Colbert, and DL, R.J. McIntosh, were both inactive last week and have been limited in practice this week. Colbert may see some action if he is healthy, as he did in week one. The Giants also selected LB, Jermaine Grace, to their practice squad this week but then released him just two days later. The 2017 undrafted journey man is only a year removed from a year in Atlanta where he played 12 games in a situational LB role, so may eventually make his way up to a 53-man lineup. For the 49ers, Travis Benjamin opted out at the beginning of the season.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
49ers:
WR Travis Benjamin - Opted Out
Giants:
S Adrian Colbert - Inactive in Week Two
DL R.J. McIntosh - Inactive in Week Two

Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) (+6.0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (0-2)

There are no ProCanes in this game that features two teams looking to get off the schneid - one by surprise in the Eagles as they are only three seasons removed from a Super Bowl victory and one in the Bengals that is a perennial cellar dweller. Rookie QB Joe Burrow (LSU) and WR Tee Higgins (Clemson) are some recent grads to keep an eye on as their careers progress.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
None.

Houston Texans (0-2) (+6.0) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)

Duke Johnson is coming off a week where he was inactive after suffering an injury in the first half of the season opener. When healthy, Johnson is a solid PPR option as a catching back in the two-headed backfield along with David Johnson.

For the Steelers, Rookie CB Trajan Bandy remains on the Practice Squad. Te’Cory Couch and Al Blades Jr. had a good games last week against Louisville but Miami needs a consistent, Bandy-like ball-hawk nickel in the secondary to ensure continued success.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
Texans:
RB Duke Johnson - Inactive
Steelers:
CB Trajan Bandy - Practice Squad

New York Jets (0-2) (+9.0) @ Indianapolis Colts (1-1)

The Jets offense, and organization in general, has come under a lot of scrutiny under the direction of head coach, Adam Gase. One of the only bright spots in Sunday’s 31-13 loss came when QB Sam Darnold scrambled away from the Niners pursuit and through an across-the-body throw to WR, Braxton Berrios, who had gained a step on the coverage and ran it in for the Jets lone TD. Congratulations to Berrios on his first of many NFL TDs in his first of many starts at WR. Jamison Crowder and Breshad Perriman both remain out so Berrios will get another opportunity starting in the slot. Berrios should continue to fill the stat sheet as he was Darnold’s most targeted weapon.

As for the ageless wonder, RB Frank Gore got the start on Sunday and should continue to with Le’Veon Bell’s absence on the IR. Gore was not part of a run-heavy set because the Jets were playing from behind but gathered 63 yards on 21 carries. TE1, Chris Herndon, had 1 reception for 5 yards.

For the Colts, Al-Quadin Muhamad played 32 snaps but it didn’t show in the stat sheet as he registered zero tackles.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
Jets:
WR Braxton Berrios - 6 receptions on 8 targets for 59 yards and a TD
RB Frank Gore - 21 carries for 63 yards
TE Chris Herndon - 1 reception on 4 targets for 5 yards
WR Lawrence Cager (transferred to UGA) - Practice Squad
Colts:
DE Al-Quadin Muhamad - 32 snaps, 0 tackles

Carolina Panthers (0-2) (+6.5) @ Los Angeles Chargers (1-1)

After his career debut during week one, OL Tyree St. Louis was replaced by Trai Turner on the OL. Due to some injuries across the front, St. Louis could get back in there. K, Michael Badgley had a perfect day, but perfect was not enough in a close loss to the defending Super Bowl Champion, Kansas City Chiefs. S Rayshawn Jenkins and LB Denzel Perryman each had three tackles, as Perryman continues to impress in a situational role.

For the Panthers, CB Corn Elder is growing into his own in a weak Carolina secondary. Elder came up three tackles and a big pass deflection near mid-field on a big third down play in the fourth quarter when the Panthers only trailed by one score at 21-14.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
Panthers:
CB Corn Elder - 3 tackles, 1 PD
Chargers:
S Rayshawn Jenkins - 3 tackles
LB Denzel Perryman - 3 tackles
K Michael Badgley - 2/2 FG, 41-yard long, 2/2 XP
OL Tyree St. Louis - 0 snaps

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) (-6.0) @ Denver Broncos (0-2)

The Broncos were bit by the injury bug big this past week as WR Courtland Sutton, QB Drew Lock, and RB Philip Lindsay all suffered injuries. This comes on the heels of the news that star LB, Von Miller, would be missing the entire season. As a result of the Miller news, the Broncos picked up ProCane LB, Anthony Chickillo, who could anticipate some action in the coming weeks.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
Broncos:
LB Anthony Chickillo - No Snaps in debut

Detroit Lions (0-2) (+5.5) @ Arizona Cardinals (2-0)

No ProCanes in this matchup as the Cardinals and MVP candidate, QB Kyler Murray, continue to impress. Miami’s QB, D’Eriq King, has consistently been compared to Murray.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
None.

Dallas Cowboys (1-1) (+4.5) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-0)

For the Seahawks, RB Travis Homer had a 44-yard kick return and also saw some action in the offense. After a nice debut, Greg Olsen had a rough night on Sunday Night in his reunion with Cam Newton. He was again the bell cow TE with 45 snaps but only was targeted once, which came early in the game. He was not targeted again for good reason as the pass bounced off his hands, into S Devin McCourty’s hands, which resulted in an easy pick-six. Apparently Olsen still wants to help out his former long-term teammate, Newton. Phillip Dorsett and DeeJay Dallas were both inactive as Dorsett heads to the IR.

While Miami QB, D’Eriq King, is mostly compared to Kyler Murray at the NFL level, he received another commendable comparison from Kirk Herbstreit to current MVP favorite, Russell Wilson. The comparison was not necessarily as to style of play but as to way they both approach the game as “humble” and as a “grinder”. Wilson, who is currently the favorite to win MVP, was a transfer, like King, when he transferred from NC State to Wisconsin. And similar to Wilson, King came in as a transfer and was voted as a captain, even though there was an unorthodox offseason. This indicates both were able to gain trust in their teams without significant exposure.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
Seahawks:
RB Travis Homer - 3 KRs for 89 yards (44 yard long), 3 rushes for 21 yard on 8 offensive snaps
TE Greg Olsen - 1 target, 1 drop, resulted in a pick-six
RB DeeJay Dallas - Inactive
WR Phillip Dorsett - Inactive, IR

Sunday Night Football:

Green Bay Packers (2-0) (+3.5) @ New Orleans Saints (2-0)

Packers Rookie ProCane DE, Jonathan Garvin, continues to take on a low leverage situational role as he only played two snaps last week.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
Seahawks:
DE Jonathan Garvin - 2 snaps

Monday Night Football:

Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) (+3.0) @ Baltimore Ravens (2-0)

DE, Calais Campbell, continues to prove why he’s arguably the best active ProCane as was a problem in the backfield where he had 5 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 QBHits, and 1 Sack. RB, Gus Edwards, who transferred from Miami to Rutgers in his final collegiate season, got heavy involvement in the RB-by-committee with Mark Ingram and Rookie, J.K. Dobbins, as he gathered 73 yards on 10 carries, including a 22-yard scamper.

ProCanes Updates Week Two
Ravens:
DE Calais Campbell - 5 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 QBHits, and 1 Sack
RB Gus Edwards (transferred to Rutgers) - 10 carries, 73 yards

Other News:

Ed Reed Roaming the Sidelines: One of the cooler sites on Saturday night involved a Miami and Baltimore Ravens legend, Ed Reed, roaming the sidelines during game action. In January, Reed was hired by Miami in a Chief of Staff advisory role, but it was unclear how exactly he would be implemented in the Canes’ system. Already, it has resulted in commitments from a number of safeties including Avantae Williams (who flipped from Florida), Kamren Kinchens, and James Williams (classified as hybrid Athlete). Now, having one of the greatest Canes on the sidelines to impart wisdom to players, or just bring a winning attitude to Canes during game action, should reap some benefits.

Gale Sayers Passes Away at Age of 77: The football world lost a legend in former Chicago Bears RB, Gale Sayers, who passed away on Wednesday. The original Bears legend paved the way for another Bears RB legend, Walter Payton. Walter’s son and former Miami Hurricane, Jarrett Payton, paid tribute to Sayers (below).