NFL Preseason Week 2 – Who’s Playing, Who’s Sitting?

• Who is playing in NFL preseason Week 2?
• Among those suiting up is New York Giants QB Daniel Jones
• Read below for NFL preseason Week 2 starting lineups and injury news

NFL preseason is in full swing, and Week 2 features another 16 games with all 32 teams taking the field. The action gets underway with a matchup between the Patriots and Eagles on Thursday, August 15th, before commencing with a Sunday night showdown between the Saints and 49ers.

Among the confirmed players taking the field in NFL preseason Week 2 is New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. Meanwhile in Steel City, Russell Wilson is expected to make his Steelers QB as he battles with Justin Fields for the starting QB role.

Here is a look at the projected starting lineups for Week 2 of NFL preseason.

NFL Preseason Week 2 Notable Players Expected to Play

This table will be updated as more teams announce their Week 2 starting lineups. 

As starting lineup news breaks, make sure to check out the top NFL betting apps for the 2024 preseason to make a wager.

Jones Suiting Up

According to NFL Network’s Judy Battista, New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is “expected to play” in the team’s Week 2 preseason game against the Houston Texans. Despite the news, the Giants are the biggest underdogs on the Week 2 slate at +4.5.

Daniel Jones had his best practice of training camp

"This was Daniel Jones' best practice of camp," according to Dan Duggan.

"He was drilling intermediate throws with good velocity/touch/timing." pic.twitter.com/xJxF37x6tM

— Gridiron Media (@Gridiron_Media_) August 13, 2024

Jones, who is entering a crucial season after the Giants picked up his fifth-year option, sat out the preseason opener but will see some action on Saturday as he continues to build chemistry with his receivers and adapt to the team’s new offensive scheme under head coach Brian Daboll.

Jones struggled in the 2023 season, posting a 70.5 passer rating over six games. He completed 108 of 160 passes (67.5%) for 909 yards, with only two touchdowns and six interceptions. Cutting down on turnovers and sacks will be key for Jones to keep his starting job long-term.

Wilson Makes Steelers Debut

Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin has confirmed that nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson will start against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night, barring any setbacks from the calf injury that has limited him in training camp.

Wilson, who signed a one-year contract with the Steelers in March, is looking to revive his career after a disappointing stint with the Denver Broncos. The 35-year-old veteran believes he has found the “fountain of youth” in Pittsburgh and feels “revived in every way.”

Just heard some horrible news for the Buffalo bills.

Russell Wilson woke up today. pic.twitter.com/Pv0jemjSN8

— MinkahBurgh Steelers (@SteelersWin109) August 17, 2024

Despite missing practice time due to his calf injury, Wilson has been gradually increasing his workload in throwing, agility, and footwork drills. He even connected on a spectacular 40-yard pass to tight end Connor Heyward during a 7-on-7 drill, showcasing his deep-ball accuracy.

Tomlin expects the starters, including Wilson, to play roughly four series against the Bills. However, he emphasized that this plan is subject to change based on the team’s performance and effectiveness. The latest NFL preseason odds price Wilson’ squad as narrow 1.5-point favorites.

Head coach Mike Tomlin has emphasized that the quarterback competition is ongoing, and Justin Fields will have another chance to impress in live game action. He displayed the arm talent that made him a first-round pick, but his ball security issues are still a concern.

NFL Preseason Week 2 Projected Sitting

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McCarthy Out for Season

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. The injury is a major blow for the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft, who showed promise in his preseason debut against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Breaking: J.J. McCarthy is out of the 2024 season with a torn meniscus after surgery revealed that a repair was necessary, sources told @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/TKewtMKVbB

— ESPN (@espn) August 14, 2024

With McCarthy sidelined, veteran Sam Darnold is now the unquestioned starter heading into the regular season. The Vikings signed the 27-year-old Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract this offseason to serve as a bridge QB until McCarthy was ready.

Darnold is expected to start Saturday’s preseason Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns, with Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall backing him up. The Vikings also signed former Panthers draft pick Matt Corral for additional QB depth after placing McCarthy on injured reserve.

Rodgers, Stafford Update

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is unlikely to see playing time in the team’s Week 2 preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. The 35-year-old battled through large portions of the 2023 season with a thumb injury and won’t want to take any risks.

Matthew Stafford is the third best QB in the league . Right ? pic.twitter.com/kycfrKlK2x

— PassRushDiary📈 (@PassRushDiary) August 12, 2024

The 2023 season was another productive year for the veteran Stafford in his 3rd with the Rams. He eclipsed 3,900 passing yards and 24 TDs for the 2nd straight year in LA. While his completion percentage and yards per attempt dipped from career highs in 2021-22, Stafford still posted a solid 92.5 rating.

While it’s unclear if fellow veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo will see any action, backup quarterbacks Stetson Bennett and Brett Rypien are expected to handle the majority of the snaps.

Meanwhile, in New York, Aaron Rodgers won’t play Saturday against the Panthers despite stating to the public that he wishes to play some preseason games. However, he’s since gone on to say “preseason is not real football.”

Aaron Rodgers is not concerned about needing to play in the preseason:

"Preseason, it's not real football" pic.twitter.com/sJmD5hdUWy

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) August 13, 2024

Jets head coach Robert Saleh has indicated that Rodgers will not play in the first two preseason games and might also sit out the third. The four-time league MVP suffered a season-ending injury on his first snap of the 2023-24 season with the Jets.