Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season kicks off tonight with Thursday Night Football. ESPN’s Stephania Bell joined Mike Golic Jr. and Mike Golic Sr. on Thursday’s GoJo and Golic to break down critical injury updates ahead of the Bills vs. Dolphins matchup and the rest of the week’s action.
In Week 2, we get an early AFC East litmus test as the Buffalo Bills travel to Miami to face the Dolphins. A key concern for the Bills is the health of quarterback Josh Allen, who is dealing with an injury to his non-throwing hand. When GoJo asked Stephania Bell about the impact of this injury and how it will impact tonight’s game, she reassured the guys that Allen will play tonight, praising Allen’s toughness and ability to play through injuries that often go unnoticed. While the injury isn’t to his throwing hand, providing some relief for Bills fans, it could affect his ball security—a part of his game that has faced scrutiny. The Bills are a 2.5 point underdog against the Dolphins at DraftKings Sportsbook.
GoJo and Senior have often had a playful debate on the impact of soft tissue injuries, a topic that’s been in the spotlight since Christian McCaffrey was ruled out of the 49ers‘ Monday night matchup against the Jets due to a calf and Achilles injury. Stephania Bell, NFL injury analyst, added context to the discussion, highlighting that soft tissue injuries are a major concern in the league, particularly in the lower extremities, due to their tendency to linger. She noted that while data shows a decrease in these injuries thanks to improved preseason management, McCaffrey’s situation remains worrisome. Although McCaffrey believes he’ll play this week, the lingering issue raises concerns for a team aiming for the postseason. Bell emphasized that these injuries are part of a broader issue related to the wear and tear on McCaffrey’s legs and accumulated mileage over the years.
Stephania also provided insight into Joe Burrow’s wrist issues, noting that he had a ligament in his throwing hand repaired. Recently, Burrow has been seen doing various wrist exercises, which has raised concerns among fans. Stephania’s primary worry isn’t whether Burrow can recover from the surgery and continue to throw the ball effectively but rather his wrist’s long-term volume and durability throughout the season. The key concern is whether the strain and stress on his wrist will impact his performance and potentially worsen the injury as the season progresses.
Packers fans can rejoice as Stephania also provided insight into Jordan Love’s MCL sprain, which he suffered against the Eagles. Despite the injury’s severity and the vulnerability of his knee, the absence of a high-angle sprain is a positive sign. The medical staff believes the sprain was mild enough for Love to return to the field soon. Bell emphasized that this is encouraging news, particularly given the depth of the Packers’ quarterback position.
Watch or listen to the full show below and tune into GoJo and Golic weekday mornings from 8-10 a.m. ET on DraftKings Network! See more about how to watch DraftKings Network here.
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Hour 1: Thursday Night Football—Does Miami Have a Shot Against Buffalo? Rebuilding The PAC-12 and NFL’s Best Week 2 Matchups
VIDEO
Watch GoJo and Golic every weekday on Samsung TV Plus, Roku, Xumo Play, Google TV and DraftKingsNetwork.com from 8 to 10 a.m. ET. The show is also available via audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow Mike Golic Sr. on X at @golic and Mike Golic Jr. on X at @mikegolicjr.
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