NFL Week 2 injury report: Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels among biggest names dealing with troubling setbacks

Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season did not go easy on quarterbacks. Three young signal-callers went down with potentially serious injuries in a brutal Sunday across the league. Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams was carted off the field. Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels dislocated his elbow. New York Giants' Jaxson Dart took a nasty hit that left fans holding their breath. Several other key players also picked up injuries, painting a grim injury picture heading into Week 3.How bad is Caleb Williams' hamstring injury, and will he play in Week 3?Chicago had already been humiliated by the Minnesota Vikings on the scoreboard, managing just three points after putting up 59 in Week 1. Then it got worse. Williams scrambled outside the pocket late in the fourth quarter and crumpled to the ground in visible pain, eventually getting carted off the sideline.The Bears confirmed it is a hamstring injury and tagged him as day-to-day. Head coach Ben Johnson hasn't closed the door on Williams suiting up for Week 3, though a hamstring for a quarterback who relies on his legs is never something to take lightly. Chicago's season is young, but losing their franchise quarterback even briefly could derail whatever momentum they were trying to build.Dart's situation in New York looks more stable than initially feared. After absorbing a brutal hit in the first quarter, the Giants rookie was ruled out for the rest of the game. Early reports suggested an MCL sprain, which is obviously not ideal, but far better than the worst-case scenarios fans were imagining in real time. Dart dealt with multiple concussions in his 2025 rookie season, so any injury news around him carries extra weight. Defensive end Brian Burns also limped off late with a leg injury, leaving the Giants with some uncertainty on both sides of the ball heading into next week.What is Jayden Daniels' elbow injury prognosis, and who starts for Washington in Week 3?This one stings for Washington fans. Daniels missed significant time in 2025 with an elbow issue, and now he has dislocated that same elbow during the Commanders' loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He is already ruled out for Week 3 while doctors work through his recovery timeline. Veteran Marcus Mariota steps in as the starter in the interim.The concern here isn't just the immediate absence. It's the pattern. When a young quarterback keeps getting hurt in similar ways, it raises real questions about durability that front offices and coaching staffs have to quietly wrestle with. Daniels is talented, no question, but he needs to stay on the field to prove it.San Francisco's injury situation is becoming a crisis. The 49ers already lost Ricky Pearsall for the season and De'Zhaun Stribling for at least two months. Now wide receivers DeMarcus Robinson and Mike Evans both exited their Week 2 game against Miami. Robinson faces three to six weeks out with a high ankle sprain. Evans is dealing with a hip issue, though his outlook appears somewhat better. Green Bay's Jayden Reed, fresh off missing most of 2025 with a leg injury, also went down with a back problem after a hard fall, adding to the Packers' concerns at receiver.Other names to monitor include Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (stinger), tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe), Falcons cornerback AJ Terrell (groin), and Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (chest).Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.