The dominant story in the NFL this past weekend was injuries, as several of the NFL's biggest and brightest stars went down with devastating injuries, including Nick Bosa, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Drew Lock, and many more. Former Hawkeyes haven't been immune to the NFL injury wave, either; George Kittle sat out Week 2 after suffering a bone bruise and sprained MCL (though he may be able to return in Week 3) and Brandon Scherff left the game early after suffering a sprained MCL that will keep him out of action for several weeks. Bryan Bulaga laso left the game on Sunday with an injury, believed to be a bone bruise. But several other former Iowa players did play in Week 2, so let's see how they did.
OFFENSE
Noah Fant followed up his sizzling season debut (5 receptions, 81 yards, and a touchdown) with a very good Week 2 showing as well, hauling in four passes for 57 yards and one very pretty touchdown snag.
NOAH. FANT. #DENvsPIT | : CBS pic.twitter.com/OVnr0ehTaK
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 20, 2020
It was a dismal game overall for the Lions, but T.J. Hockenson was a bright spot on offense, with four receptions for a team-high 62 yards. Offensive lineman (yes, really) Matt Nelson was active for the Lions as well.
TJ Hockenson.
— Parker Jacobs (@parkjac211) September 20, 2020
Thats the tweet pic.twitter.com/8YQQpQGW04
Tristan Wirfs once again started at tackle for Tampa Bay and played well -- in fact, he finished the week as Pro Football Focus' highest-rated rookie:
Highest-graded offensive rookies in W2:
— PFF (@PFF) September 21, 2020
1. Tristan Wirfs - 86.0
2. Damien Lewis - 81.2
3. Jonah Jackson - 77.2 pic.twitter.com/DzjxT59YVZ
Austin Blythe started at guard for the Rams. Riley Reiff started at tackle for a Minnesota team that couldn't do anything right on offense, though Reiff himself at least wasn't one of the biggest problems for the Vikings.
Top 5 #Vikings offensive PFF grades Sunday (min 15 snaps):
— Eric Thompson (@eric_j_thompson) September 21, 2020
1. O'Neill 80
2. Reiff 78.9
3. Cook 70.1
4. Jefferson 68.4
5. Thielen 67.3
Bottom 3
3. Johnson 54.2
2. Smith Jr. 40.1
1. Samia 35.5
James Daniels started and played well at offensive guard for Chicago.
Casey Kreiter handled his usual long-snapping duties for the New York Giants.
C.J. Beathard was active but did not play for San Francisco; Nate Stanley was inactive for Minnesota as he remains on the practice squad. Ike Boettger was inactive for Buffalo.
DEFENSE
Mike Daniels was inactive with a groin injury for Cincinnati. In the same game, Adrian Clayborn recorded two tackles, 1.5 TFL, and a sack in a rotational role. Keep eatin', AC.
#Browns Adrian Clayborn with the sack! pic.twitter.com/hSbP6gm4lb
— Orange and Brown Rpt (@TheOBR) September 18, 2020
Anthony Hitchens was tied for the second-most tackles for the Chiefs in Week 2, with nine stops (seven solo). One of the players tied with him? Ben Niemann, who had nine tackles (five solo).
On the other side of the field, Desmond King recorded six tackles (all solo) and provided some lockdown coverage for the Los Angeles Chargers, as well as one punt return for three yards.
Desmond King II was the highest graded #Chargers defender from week 2. King earned an 82.1 grade, giving up one catch on one target for 2 yards. pic.twitter.com/4ncVfNAYji
— PFF LA Chargers (@PFF_Chargers) September 22, 2020
After the game, though, King expressed some displeasure about his playing time in Los Angeles.
Is there a reason Im not on the field? some people want to know
— Desmond E. King II (@blaqbadger14) September 21, 2020
Ill continue to do my job but Im going to need answers real soon
— Desmond E. King II (@blaqbadger14) September 21, 2020
In other AFC West action, Josey Jewell started for Denver and had four tackles (3 solo), while rookie Michael Ojemudia had a very busy day, with 7 tackles (6 solo), and a pass break-up, but also had some rookie struggles, dropping a possible interception and giving up 148 yards on six catches (though 84 of those came on a single play).
Christian Kirksey started and led Green Bay in tackles with 12 stops, 10 solo. Josh Jackson saw limited action, but did record a pass break-up.
A.J. Epenesa was active in Week 2 (after being inactive in Week 1), but recorded no stats for Buffalo. Micah Hyde was second on the Bills with 9 tackles (6 solo) and also had a pass break-up.
Jaleel Johnson saw quite a bit of action for Minnesota, recording six tackles, including four solo stops and a tackle for loss.
Anthony Nelson saw action for Tampa Bay and recorded one tackle for loss.
Amani Hooker recorded two solo tackles and a pass break-up for Tennessee.
Geno Stone was inactive for Baltimore, though with a few members of their seconday going down with injury, Stone could see the field sooner rather than later for the Ravens. Cedrick Lattimore was inactive for Seattle as a member of their practice squad.
