NFL Nation reporters look ahead to what Friday has in store for each team.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: The Bills are almost certain to head into Sunday's game in Miami without safety Aaron Williams, who was taken from the field last Sunday in an ambulance because of a neck injury. Rex Ryan said trainers are optimistic that Williams can return in Week 4 against the Giants, but in his place Sunday, expect Bacarri Rambo to start and play the majority of the game. The coaching staff has been higher on Rambo than Duke Williams, the Bills' other backup safety. -- Mike Rodak
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins are getting healthier on offense at the right time. Running back Lamar Miller (ankle) and tight end Jordan Cameron (hamstring) both returned to practice Thursday, which is a promising sign. Miami's offense is averaging just 15 points per game and needs all its weapons against a solid Bills defense. -- James Walker
New England Patriots: Linebacker Dont'a Hightower showed up on the injury report this week (shoulder), as he was limited in practice. The injury isn't believed to be serious enough to keep Hightower out of action, but it also can't be overlooked because he had offseason shoulder surgery. While specifics are elusive at this time, at the least, Hightower bears watching to see how the shoulder affects him. -- Mike Reiss
New York Jets: Friday will be a key day for injured players, especially WR Eric Decker (sprained knee). If he misses a third straight practice, it would be an ominous sign for his availability Sunday against the Eagles. Look for Quincy Enunwa and Jeremy Kerley to have bigger roles, and rookie Devin Smith is expected to make his debut. -- Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: First-round pick Breshad Perriman practiced on Thursday, the first time he's done so since injuring his right knee on July 30. He wasn't running at full speed, and it's unlikely he'll play Sunday against the first-place Bengals. Offensive coordinator Marc Trestman called Perriman's status "a day-to-day process." -- Jamison Hensley
Cincinnati Bengals: When it comes to their relative health, the Bengals are the envy of the league. They haven't had to put a player on the injury list since training camp, and only two were listed as non-practice participants on Thursday's injury report. Even Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green, who missed time Wednesday with a minor knee injury, returned Thursday in a full capacity. When the Bengals go through their low-speed walk-through Friday ahead of Saturday's flight to Baltimore, they likely will be near full, 53-man capacity. Even at this early stage of the season, there are teams that wish they could be in their shoes. -- Coley Harvey
Cleveland Browns: Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel were both full-go in practice on Thursday. That means the Browns should have both quarterbacks healthy for the first time since late August. -- Pat McManamon
Pittsburgh Steelers: Linebacker Ryan Shazier is fresh off a 15-tackle, one-sack performance, but he's missed the past two practices with a shoulder injury. The Steelers hope rest will allow him to play Sunday. Shazier's range and athletic ability will be crucial for stopping the Rams offense. -- Jeremy Fowler
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: Turnovers continue to be a focus for the Texans defense, which has only one interception after leading the league with 34 takeaways in 2014. "We've gotten our hands on some balls this year, but we haven't come up with them," defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said. Jadeveon Clowney has forced fumbles that have rolled out of bounds and not changed possession. Rahim Moore nearly had a second interception in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers, but a defensive holding call wiped it out. -- Tania Ganguli
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are about to face the second quarterback in three games who is exceptional at running the read option in Titans rookie Marcus Mariota. The No. 2 overall pick has thrown for 466 yards and six touchdowns through the first two games. Colts defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said Mariota has poise, can make every throw and has a good grasp of the offense. -- Mike Wells
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars might rule out several players for Sunday's game today, including left tackle Luke Joeckel and right guard Brandon Linder. Injuries continue to mount for the Jaguars, who could be without six starters against the Patriots. -- Mike DiRocco
Tennessee Titans: Much of the Colts' offensive struggles came as a result of very good defensive front play by the Bills and the Jets. The Titans' defense would love to be included in that conversation. Putting Andrew Luck under duress could help get them there. -- Paul Kuharsky
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has already been sacked seven times in two games -- the first time in his career he has been sacked seven times over the first two games of a season. So it's an attention-grabber that guard Louis Vasquez, who is the only returning starter in the offensive line, is limited in practice. Vasquez was held out of Monday's practice and then was limited both Wednesday and Thursday with a knee injury. Vasquez is expected to play Sunday against the Lions, but the Broncos need him to help settle a group that has struggled at times in the season's early going. -- Jeff Legwold
Kansas City Chiefs: For the second straight week, the Chiefs should have all 53 players from which to choose in Monday night's game at Green Bay. The listed nine players on their injury report, but all were full participants. Included was wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who has a sore knee. -- Adam Teicher
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders' issues with giving up explosive plays continued in Week 2. They have allowed 13 plays of 20 yards or more (12 passes and one run) in two games. It leads the league. Oakland is tied for the league worst at allowing 6.6 yards per play. It has been worked on all week as the Raiders prepare to play at Cleveland on Sunday. -- Bill Williamson
San Diego Chargers: Offensive lineman D.J. Fluker returned to practice on Thursday as a limited participant, the first time he's worked on the field with a helmet since suffering a high-ankle sprain in San Diego's season opener on Sept. 13 against the Detroit Lions. Chris Hairston started at right guard against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, but there's an outside chance Fluker could be available on Sunday, missing only one game due to the injury. "He's worked extremely hard off on the side up until this point of time," Chargers coach Mike McCoy said. "And he's just chomping at the bit to get back out there as soon as he can." -- Eric D. Williams
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys' running game has not been as productive through two games compared to last year. Their running backs have just one carry of 10 or more yards. Through two games last year, they had 10 such carries. They are putting most of the struggle on game circumstances vs. the Giants and penalties vs. the Eagles. Without Tony Romo, the Cowboys will have to be more efficient in the running game, even facing the ninth-ranked run defense this week in the Atlanta Falcons. -- Todd Archer
New York Giants: The Giants needed this win any way they could get it, and they go into their mini-bye week (nine days off before their next game) with a feeling of relief at 1-2 instead of 0-3. Cornerback Prince Amukamara said the defense is still giving up too many "trash yards" and can't rely on turnovers all year, so he hopes they tighten up as the weeks go on. But Rueben Randle's first big game of the year added a dimension to the offense, and the undermanned defense was good enough against a shaky Kirk Cousins that it has something on which to build. -- Dan Graziano
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are waking up in North Jersey on Friday. They escaped Philadelphia in advance of Pope Francis' visit to the city. Large crowds and traffic issues are expected, so the Eagles took buses up to Monmouth University, where they will hold their workouts on Friday and Saturday. Bottom line: The shortest trip of the season turns into the longest road trip of the year for the Eagles. -- Phil Sheridan
Washington Redskins: The Redskins continue to have issues with an ever-changing secondary. Just when their top three corners were healthy, they lost DeAngelo Hall to a toe injury in the third quarter of Thursday's game vs. the Giants. Bashaud Breeland, who missed the opener with a suspension, would start for Hall if Hall has to miss any time, and the Redskins also have Chris Culliver. But fellow corner Justin Rogers missed a second straight game with a foot injury. Will Blackmon, signed after the opener, has served as a nickel corner the past two games. -- John Keim
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: The Bears depart for Seattle following Friday's practice at Halas Hall. Coach John Fox says he likes to leave a day early whenever his team is traveling through multiple time zones to ensure better sleeping habits. Fox is expected to declare quarterback Jay Cutler (hamstring) out of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, and he might do the same with Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because of a hamstring injury, and he is a long shot to face the Seahawks. That is a troubling development for quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who is making only his second NFL start since 2010. -- Jeff Dickerson
Detroit Lions: With Matthew Stafford's injury situation at least somewhat settled -- he practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday -- attention returns again to linebacker DeAndre Levy, who might miss his third straight game Sunday against Denver. If you think Levy's absence hasn't meant that much, you're wrong. He's one of the best coverage 4-3 linebackers in the NFL and has a strong instinct for short pass plays. That's been a major concern area for Detroit -- and a place where Peyton Manning excels. But if Levy doesn't practice Friday, it'd be stunning to see him out there Sunday. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers: Eddie Lacy didn't practice on Thursday, and based on the way coach Mike McCarthy was talking, the Packers running back might be hard pressed to practice at all this week after he sprained his right ankle Sunday against Seattle. That doesn't mean he will miss Monday night's game against the Chiefs, however. McCarthy said he would be comfortable playing Lacy with minimal (or perhaps no) practice time this week. -- Rob Demovsky
Minnesota Vikings: Guard Brandon Fusco returned to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday, and the Vikings will try to get him fully recovered from a concussion in time for Sunday's game. Fusco's presence would help the Vikings against a Chargers run defense that has been porous to this point; Fusco is one of the team's most physical and effective run blockers. -- Ben Goessling
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: Strongside linebacker Brooks Reed returned to practice Thursday for the first time since undergoing groin surgery before the last preseason game. Reed was limited, but being back on the field was progress for a guy the Falcons signed to a five-year, $22.5 million deal to help stuff the run. We'll see if Reed makes more progress on Friday. -- Vaughn McClure
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers likely will decide today whether they will go with wide receivers Ted Ginn Jr., Philly Brown, Devin Funchess and Kevin Norwood or, if they need to, bring Brenton Bersin up from the practice squad. It appears they are leaning toward sticking with what they have. This also could be the first day middle linebacker Luke Kuechly gets to wear a helmet to practice if doctors give him the go-ahead. He's still a few steps from being cleared under the concussion protocol. -- David Newton
New Orleans Saints: Today's official injury report will look like a Pro Bowl roster. Saints quarterback Drew Brees (shoulder) and Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (concussion) -- arguably the best player on each roster -- remain uncertain for Sunday's game. We should also find out the status of key players such as Saints receiver Brandin Cooks, Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis, Saints guard Jahri Evans and Panthers defensive linemen Charles Johnson and Star Lotulelei, among others. -- Mike Triplett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs will continue preparations Friday for the Texans with a goal in mind of achieving their first winning record within a season since they were 6-5 before Week 13 in 2012. Cornerback Alterraun Verner spoke Thursday about the need to take "baby steps" as the franchise tries to establish a winning culture. A victory Sunday in Houston would certainly represent more movement forward after a Week 2 victory in New Orleans. -- Andrew Astleford
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals: Bruce Arians has remained quiet on who will start Sunday at right tackle. The answer might come Friday. Then again, it might not. The Cardinals would be tinkering with an offensive line that hasn't allowed a sack this season and is averaging 117.5 rushing yards per game. -- Josh Weinfuss
St. Louis Rams: The Rams had their day off Thursday and will now see how running back Todd Gurley bounces back from Wednesday's fully padded practice. The team had to add Gurley to the injury report Thursday even though they didn't practice because of a league technicality. Barring any sort of complications, Friday's practice will be Gurley's chance to offer a closing argument that Sunday is the right time for his debut. It will also allow the Rams the chance to nail down how and how much they'll use him if he does play against the Steelers. -- Nick Wagoner
San Francisco 49ers: The NFL being a copycat league, the Niners secondary fully expects Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer to take a page from Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, who passed for 369 yards against San Francisco on Sunday, and take deep shots in Arizona. Friday, then, presents another opportunity for the 49ers safeties to work on not letting receivers get behind them, Of course, it's easier said than done. -- Paul Gutierrez
Seattle Seahawks: The Bears are banged up, but one player the Seahawks need to account for is Martellus Bennett. Per ESPN Stats & Information, tight ends have caught 10 of 11 targets for 150 yards and two touchdowns against the Seahawks in the first two weeks. Obviously, this is an area in which Kam Chancellor could give Seattle a boost. -- Sheil Kapadia