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

• NFL preseason Week 2 features 16 games with most stars on the bench
• Caleb Williams makes debut while Patrick Mahomes sits out
• Read below for complete lists of who’s playing and who’s sitting in NFL Preseason Week 2

Week 2 of the 2025 NFL preseason begins Thursday with coaches making tough decisions about playing time. Caleb Williams finally sees action Sunday night against Buffalo, but Patrick Mahomes will watch from the sideline when Kansas City visits Seattle on Friday.

Since Week 1, the list of injuries has increased dramatically. Rashawn Slater’s season was cut short by a patellar tendon injury, Rondale Moore tore his knee on the first preseason play, and Alexander Mattison requires neck surgery. Teams are reevaluating how much they are willing to risk their healthy stars as a result of these injuries.

Here’s the complete breakdown of who’s playing and who’s sitting in Week 2.

NFL Preseason Week 2 Players Expected to Play

The betting lines tell the story here. Tampa Bay flipped from underdogs to slight favorites once they confirmed their starters would see action against Pittsburgh. Chicago became home favorites after announcing Williams would play, especially with Josh Allen’s status up in the air.

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Williams Among High-Profile Week 2 Starters

After riding the pine in Week 1, Caleb Williams takes center stage Sunday night against Buffalo. Head coach Ben Johnson confirmed Williams and the first-team offense will play, giving the second-year QB his first preseason action of 2025.

Williams needs to show improvement after taking 68 sacks last year. The Bears rebuilt their offensive line with Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, and this game offers the first look at whether those investments will pay off.

Meanwhile in Tennessee, first overall pick Cam Ward continues his heavy preseason workload. Coach Brian Callahan has Ward playing in all three exhibition games, believing the rookie needs every possible rep before Week 1.

Mahomes Takes Unusual Rest

Here’s a surprise: Andy Reid hinted there’s “a good chance” Patrick Mahomes sits out Friday’s game against Seattle. This breaks from Reid’s typical approach of giving starters preseason work. The three-time Super Bowl champion threw just one pass in Week 1 and may not see the field again until the regular season.

Cleveland faces a different problem – they might not have a healthy quarterback. Shedeur Sanders suffered an oblique injury Wednesday, Kenny Pickett’s hamstring won’t heal, and Joe Flacco gets to rest as the presumed starter. That leaves Dillon Gabriel, recently cleared from his own hamstring issue, to handle most of the work against Philadelphia.

NFL Preseason Week 2 Players Sitting Out

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Injuries Pile Up Fast

Week 1 was rough. Really rough. Mattison’s neck surgery ends his Miami dreams before they started. Moore’s knee injury after one play shows how quickly things can go sideways. Slater’s torn patellar tendon leaves LA scrambling for answers at a crucial spot.

The Packers face their own concerns with Jordan Love’s thumb surgery. While the team calls the procedure “perfect,” Love won’t play again in preseason. Christian Watson likely starts the season on PUP, missing at least four games, while Jayden Reed showed up in a walking boot after Week 1.

Houston’s secondary took multiple hits. C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a significant leg injury that initially looked season-ending. While he avoided ACL damage, he’s out indefinitely. The Texans also lost Jimmie Ward, leaving them thin at safety.

Contract Drama Continues

Dallas keeps Dak Prescott on the bench despite his wishes to play. The Cowboys also deal with Micah Parsons’ trade request, with Jerry Jones still not speaking to his star linebacker since the demand went public.

Buffalo gets a boost with James Cook back after signing his four-year extension on Wednesday. Cook, who led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns last season alongside Jahmyr Gibbs and Derrick Henry, gives the Bills their full offensive arsenal if Allen plays.

Washington’s Terry McLaurin ended his four-day holdout but remains out with an ankle injury. Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson stays away from the team during his contract dispute.

Joint Practices Replace Game Action

Teams continue prioritizing joint practices over preseason games. Baltimore worked with Dallas this week, Cleveland paired with Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay hosted Pittsburgh. These sessions provide competitive reps without full-speed tackling.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni has rested starters in preseason since 2022, preferring joint practice work. The Cowboys follow a similar pattern under Brian Schottenheimer, focusing on evaluating roster bubble players rather than risking stars.

Betting Lines and Fantasy Impact

It’s hard for bettors to know what to do in Week 2 because of the uncertainty about the starters. Football betting lines shift dramatically based on playing time announcements. Tampa Bay playing starters moved them from underdogs to favorites against Pittsburgh. Chicago became home favorites after confirming Williams will play.

For fantasy managers, keep an eye on these situations:

• Browns QB mess with multiple injuries
• Vikings receivers without Jefferson and Moore
• Dolphins backfield after losing Mattison
• Bills offense if Cook continues sitting

Games with confirmed starters see 3-4 point line adjustments. The Bucs-Steelers matchup features the most starters, making it the most predictable betting option.

Sunday Night’s the Main Event

The Bills-Bears primetime game is your best viewing option this week. Williams finally gets his preseason debut after sitting Week 1. Josh Allen’s status is still up in the air because Sean McDermott is still deciding if his MVP quarterback needs the work.

Chicago needs Williams to demonstrate progress with their rebuilt offensive line. Last year’s 68 sacks can’t happen again if the Bears want to compete in the NFC North.

These games decide the careers of players as teams cut their rosters from 90 to 53 players. Veterans take a break, while rookies fight for spots. As September 4th gets closer, coaches won’t put important players at risk in games that don’t count.