Atlanta Hosts Big Matchup

Players to Watch

Kyle Murphy • T • Green Bay Packers • Second season • @KyleMurphy78
Murphy was excellent in the place of starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga (ankle) for Week 1, allowing three pressures on 49 pass blocking snaps against Seattle's strong defense. Tackles David Bakhtiari (hamstring), Bulaga (ankle/illness) and Jason Spriggs (hamstring) are all limited in practice this week, so Murphy could yet again see heavy snaps on either side of the offensive line.

David DeCastro • G • Pittsburgh Steelers • Sixth season
An All-Pro in each of his last two seasons, David DeCastro (83.8) was Pro Football Focus' fifth highest rated guard during Week 1 at Cleveland. DeCastro and the stout Pittsburgh offensive line face a much tougher test when they play host to Minnesota on Sunday – the Vikings defensive front, led by Pro Bowl tackle Linval Joseph (88.0 PFF grade against the run for Week 1), allowed just 60 rushing yards on 21 carries (2.9 average) against New Orleans on Monday night.

Solomon Thomas • DL • San Francisco 49ers • First season • @SollyThomas90
The third overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft had a difficult pro debut against Carolina's elite interior offensive line, which featured All-Pro Ryan Kalil and Pro Bowler Trai Turner. Thomas will look to bounce back against a Seattle offensive line that allowed 13 pressures in a Week 1 loss at Green Bay.

Matchups to Watch

Patriots at Saints
The first of two matchups that include five former Cardinal, New England travels to face New Orleans on Sunday. Much to the surprise of all, the Patriots lost their season opener at home against Kansas City while the Saints fell behind in Minnesota and never mounted a legitimate charge.

Look for strong safety Jordan Richards (60 percent of snaps in Week 1) to play in sub packages for New England, and Coby Fleener is expected to line up across from him. Last week, Fleener was Drew Brees' most productive target with five catches for 54 yards, one touchdown and no drops. Cam Fleming was limited in practice on Wednesday, but Johnson Bademosi will play heavy special teams snaps for New England. Andrus Peat will make his second consecutive start at left guard for the Saints – last week, Peat allowed just one pressure in 38 pass blocking snaps.

Packers at Falcons
Five former Cardinal will appear on Sunday Night Football when Green Bay travels to take on Atlanta. Tight ends Austin Hooper and Levine Toilolo will suit up for Atlanta, and Blake Martinez, Ty Montgomery and Kyle Murphy will appear for Green Bay.

Hooper will look to build off his 128-yard performance at Chicago on Sunday, and Montgomery should once again be Green Bay's three-down tailback after playing 90 percent of the Packers' offensive snaps in Week 1. Martinez, who started at middle linebacker in Green Bay's 17-9 win against Seattle on Sunday, could come face to face with both Hooper and Toilolo. Murphy will be ready should Bryan Bulaga (ankle/illness) miss another game at right tackle.
 

Injury Report

• Cameron Fleming was held out of New England's Week 1 loss against Kansas City with an ankle injury, and was a limited participant in practice on Thursday.
• Andrew Luck still has yet to participate in practice after undergoing offseason surgery on his throwing shoulder. Indianapolis has been coy on Luck's status throughout the offseason.
• Richard Sherman did not participate in Wednesday's practice with a hamstring injury he sustained in Week 1.
   

Week 2 Schedule