NFL Week 2 Live: Joe Burrow Injured, Cowboys Rally Against Giants in Hectic Early Slate

The early afternoon slate of NFL Week 2 has been defined by a potentially major injury to a superstar quarterback, as Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow was forced to leave his game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a toe injury. His status has cast a dark cloud over a day packed with crucial divisional battles and dramatic momentum swings.

Across the league, the intensity of the new season is in full swing. In Dallas, a massive NFC East clash is unfolding between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys, with both teams fighting desperately to avoid a disastrous 0-2 start to their seasons. Meanwhile, in Detroit, a bitter NFC North rivalry is being renewed as new Bears head coach Ben Johnson makes his first return to face his former team. This article is your comprehensive roundup of all the major news, injuries, and live updates from the 1 p.m. ET games as the action unfolds.

The Biggest Story: Joe Burrow Exits with Toe Injury

The most significant and concerning news of the day has come out of Cincinnati. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, the heart of the team’s Super Bowl aspirations, was forced to exit the team’s home opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter with what the team has announced as a toe injury.

How It Happened

The injury occurred on a sack by Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half. Burrow was taken down for a five-yard loss, and his ankle and foot appeared to get twisted in the pile. He was down on the field for a short time while being examined by the training staff. After initially trying to walk off, he required significant assistance from two trainers to make the long trip to the locker room, limping heavily and clearly in considerable pain.

The Implications for Cincinnati

For a quarterback with a well-documented history of major, season-ending injuries—including a devastating knee injury in his rookie season and a major wrist injury in 2023—any trip to the locker room is cause for major concern. The team initially deemed Burrow as “questionable to return” at halftime, but backup quarterback Jake Browning started the second half under center, raising serious doubts about the severity of the injury and its impact on the Bengals’ season. Burrow’s incredible resilience and his two Comeback Player of the Year awards are a testament to his toughness, but the Bengals’ championship hopes are inextricably linked to his health, making this the most important developing story in the league today.

NFC East on the Line: Cowboys Mount Comeback Against Wilson’s Giants

A crucial early-season battle is raging in Dallas, where both the Giants and the Cowboys are fighting to avoid falling into a deep 0-2 hole, both overall and within the highly competitive NFC East.

A Fast Start for the Giants

The game marked quarterback Russell Wilson’s first trip to Dallas as the leader of the New York Giants, and he got off to a very impressive start. Wilson and the Giants’ offense came out firing, quickly jumping out to a 13-3 lead. The highlight of their early dominance was a beautiful 29-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to standout rookie receiver Malik Nabers in the second quarter, showcasing the exciting potential of the new QB-WR duo.

The Cowboys’ Rally

Facing a significant deficit at home, the Dallas Cowboys finally rallied to make it a game. The comeback began just before halftime when quarterback Dak Prescott connected with receiver KaVontae Turpin for a 10-yard score, cutting the lead and shifting the momentum. The Cowboys’ offense carried that energy into the second half, taking the lead for the first time all afternoon on a powerful 30-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.

The High Stakes

The importance of this game cannot be overstated. With both teams having lost their Week 1 matchups, the loser of this contest will fall to 0-2 on the season and, more critically, 0-2 within the division. Climbing out of that kind of early-season hole in the NFC East is an incredibly difficult task, making this a near must-win game for both teams, even in just the second week of the season.

Around the League: Other Key Storylines and Updates

Elsewhere in the 1 p.m. ET slate, several other compelling matchups and important moments have unfolded.

Ben Johnson’s Return to Detroit

In Detroit, a bitter NFC North rivalry has a new narrative wrinkle, as new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson makes his first trip back to face the Lions, the team where he previously served as a highly successful offensive coordinator. The Lions have dominated this series recently, winning five of the last six meetings. With both teams looking to avoid a 0-2 start and an early spot in the NFC North cellar, this is another desperate, high-stakes divisional battle.

Josh Allen Injury Scare in Buffalo

The Cincinnati Bengals weren’t the only team to have a scare with their franchise quarterback. Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen also briefly exited his game against the New York Jets with what was reported as a nose injury. He was replaced for several plays by backup Mitch Trubisky while being tended to on the sideline. However, much to the relief of the Bills Mafia, Allen was able to return to the lineup shortly thereafter, apparently avoiding a serious issue.

Quick Look at Other Action

• In an AFC North slugfest, the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens are locked in a tight, defensive battle.
• The San Francisco 49ers are in New Orleans, looking to continue their strong start against the Saints.
• In Miami, the Dolphins are hosting the New England Patriots in another key divisional matchup.
• Other games in progress include the Los Angeles Rams at the Tennessee Titans and the Seattle Seahawks at the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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