Injury Outlook -- Week 2

Here's a brief rundown of the key injuries for all the games on Sunday's docket. Looks like four teams will be making quarterback switches following their openers, with Matt Cassel (Patriots), Kerry Collins (Titans), Brian Griese (Buccaneers) and Damon Huard (Chiefs) expected to replace the ailing grouping of Tom Brady (torn knee ligaments), Vince Young (knee sprain), Jeff Garcia (sprained ankle) and Brodie Croyle (separated shoulder).

Buffalo at Jacksonville: The Jaguars' offensive line is a mess right now after starting guards Vincent Manuwai (torn ACL) and Maurice Williams (biceps tear) suffered season-ending injuries in last week's loss at Tennessee, while center Brad Meester is still recovering from biceps surgery and remains sidelined...Jacksonville does get some good news on the receiving front, where veteran Jerry Porter appears ready for Sunday after sitting out the opener with an ailing hamstring...Bills Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters, who ended his holdout just prior to Week 1, looks like a good bet to return to his starting spot on the left side.

Chicago at Carolina: Panthers will be without left guard Travelle Wharton (knee sprain), with Geoff Hantgartner expected to get the start...Tight end Dante Rosario, who led Carolina in catches and yards last week, will be a game-time decision with a sprained foot...Panthers star wide receiver Steve Smith to serve the last of his team-issued two-game suspension on Sunday.

Green Bay at Detroit: Packers hurting a bit at the running back spot, where starter Ryan Grant is still bothered by a sore hamstring and backup Brandon Jackson a question mark this week due to a mild concussion...Grant's injury didn't prevent him from putting up 92 yards on just 12 carries in Monday's win over Minnesota, however...Center Scott Wells (back) likely to miss a second straight game, but Pack should get third wide receiver James Jones (knee) after sitting out the opener...Lions could be without their best defender, Ernie Sims, after the linebacker twisted an ankle in last week's debacle in Atlanta.

Indianapolis at Minnesota: Colts will probably be without tight end Dallas Clark (sprained right knee) in this one, so Minnesota can expect more three-receiver looks from Peyton Manning and company...All-Pro center Jeff Saturday, expected to miss up to the season's first six games with a gimpy knee, has been practicing for Indy this week and is a possibility to play...Colts released starting defensive tackle Ed Johnson on Thursday after a drug arrest, with the 274-pound Raheem Brock slated to shift from end to inside...Vikes' left offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie still serving a four-game suspension, but replacement Artis Hicks (elbow) expected to be okay for the contest.

New Orleans at Washington: The big news for this game is the ligament the Saints' Marques Colston tore in his left thumb in Week 1, an injury that will sideline the standout receiver from 4-to-6 weeks...New Orleans will also be without three defensive starters in linebacker Scott Fujita (knee), strong safety Roman Harper (hamstring) and cornerback Randall Gay (hamstring/illness)...Corner Mike McKenzie, however, expected to go after sitting out the opener following offseason knee surgery...Redskins' biggest injury concern is strongside linebacker Marcus Washington, considered questionable with a sore hamstring.

N.Y. Giants at St. Louis: Rams shorthanded at wide receiver following Drew Bennett's fractured left foot in last week's disaster in Philadelphia and rookie Donnie Avery still likely out with an ailing knee...St. Louis signed 35-year-old Eddie Kennison on Tuesday, with the veteran wideout slated to play immediately...Rams also expected to be without defensive end Leonard Little (hamstring) and left guard Jacob Bell (hamstring)...Giants' defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, who rolled his ankle on the final play of the season-opening win over Washington, should be a game-time decision.

Oakland at Kansas City: Huard finished 8-for-12 for 118 yards with a TD and INT after replacing Croyle in last week's loss at New England...Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker slated to play after missing Week 1 with a hamstring strain...Defensive end Derrick Burgess (shoulder) also expected to suit up for Oakland, but left offensive tackle Kwame Harris is a question mark after spraining his knee in the opener.

Tennessee at Cincinnati: Young is thought to be out up to a month with his knee injury, not to mention a badly-bruised psyche...Titans have a big concern on defense as well, with All-Pro tackle Albert Haynesworth considered 50/50 at best to play due to a concussion...Bengals strong safety Dexter Jackson likely out with a broken thumb, but fellow defensive backfield member Chinedum Ndukwe looks to be ready to return from a knee problem which kept him out of last week's tilt.

Atlanta at Tampa Bay: Controversy is beginning to brew in Tampa, where Garcia told the Tampa Tribune earlier this week he believes Bucs head coach Jon Gruden's decision to start Griese over him on Sunday was based more on performance than injury...Linebacker Derrick Brooks, who has played in 209 regular-season games without missing a single one and has started 193 consecutive contests, has both streaks in serious jeopardy after the future Hall of Famer strained his hamstring in Tampa's loss at New Orleans last Sunday...Second-year pro Quincy Black would move into the starting lineup if Brooks can't go, with Cato June shifting from the strong to weak side.

Miami at Arizona: Cardinals starting nose tackle Gabe Watson (knee) and backup Alan Branch (ankle) each missed last Sunday's victory at San Francisco, but both have returned to a limited practice this week and could be available against the Dolphins...Veteran Bryan Robinson started in place of Watson in the opener...Miami placed rookie offensive lineman Donald Thomas on IR after he hurt his foot in last week's game against the Jets, with Ikechuku Ndukwe the team's new starter at right guard.

New England at NY Jets: For once, all eyes won't be on Brett Favre with Cassel set to make his first career start as the Pats begin the Brady-less era...Game-breaking wide receiver Randy Moss also missed some practice time for New England this week with a back ailment, but all indications are he'll play on Sunday...Tight end Ben Watson (knee), however, is expected to miss a second straight game and No. 3 wide receiver Jabar Gaffney (knee) is considered questionable for the Patriots...Jets signed veteran kicker Jay Feely on Monday after Mike Nugent pulled a thigh muscle in the opener and is out for Week 2.

San Diego at Denver: Not long after standout linebacker Shawne Merriman announced his decision to undergo season-ending knee surgery this week, there's a possibility the Chargers could be without their offensive star against the Broncos. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a turf toe problem, although the former league MVP insists he'll be ready for the game...Center Nick Hardwick is still recovering from foot surgery, but San Diego's offensive line may get Marcus McNeill back after the valuable left tackle missed Week 1 with a neck injury...Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie (hip) is questionable for the Denver game, meaning rookie first-round pick Antoine Cason could make his first career start...For the Broncos, linebacker Boss Bailey (high ankle sprain) and center Tom Nalen (knee surgery) look to be about ready after sitting out Monday's rout of Oakland.

San Francisco at Seattle: The Seahawks are still hurting badly at wide receiver, with Nate Burleson tearing his ACL in the Week 1 loss at Buffalo and both Bobby Engram (shoulder) and Deion Branch (knee surgery) still on the shelf...Backup quarterback Seneca Wallace may wind up taking Burleson's starting split end spot for Sunday...Julius Jones will get the bulk of the work for Seattle at running back after Maurice Morris sprained his knee against the Bills...Seahawks right tackle Sean Locklear (knee) likely out another week as well...49ers' most notable injury news regards backup quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith, placed on IR on Wednesday with a fractured right shoulder.

Pittsburgh at Cleveland: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed some practice time with a sore shoulder this week, but is in no danger of missing Sunday's matchup...Browns figure to be without No. 2 wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (quadriceps strain) for a second straight week, however...Return specialist Joshua Cribbs, who missed Cleveland's loss to Dallas with an ankle sprain, appears ready to play and share snaps with youngsters Syndric Steptoe and Steve Sanders opposite Pro Bowl wideout Braylon Edwards...Browns also without strong safety Sean Jones, who underwent knee surgery earlier in the week and will be sidelined up to a month, and possibly free safety Brodney Pool, who missed last week with a concussion and is questionable to return...Pittsburgh's Bryant McFadden will start on Sunday for the injured Deshea Townsend (heel) at cornerback.

I'll be providing the injury rundown of Monday's pair of games -- in case you haven't heard, the Baltimore-Houston clash has been pushed back a day due to Hurricane Ike -- later in the week. Also, I'll be blogging from the Meadowlands on Sunday with some thoughts on the Patriots-Jets showdown, as well as the rest of the day's action.