NFL Monday Update: Giants-Rams Take Center Stage as Injuries Shake Up Week 2
September 21, 2026
Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season closes Monday night in Los Angeles, but the league is already dealing with major storylines following a Sunday filled with injuries, surprising results, defensive statements and overtime drama.
The New York Giants visit the Los Angeles Rams tonight at SoFi Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET / 7:15 p.m. CT on ESPN and ABC. New York enters at 1-0, while Los Angeles is looking to avoid an 0-2 start.
Major Quarterback Injuries Hit the NFL
Two of the league's prominent young quarterbacks suffered potentially significant injuries Sunday.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was carted off with a right hamstring injury during Chicago's 9-3 loss to Minnesota. Williams was later seen walking in the locker room, but the Bears were awaiting additional evaluation and an MRI Monday to determine the severity.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow during Washington's 37-20 loss to Dallas. Initial imaging showed no fracture, according to Commanders coach Dan Quinn, with additional testing scheduled. The injury is particularly concerning because Daniels previously dislocated the same elbow during the 2025 season.
The injuries immediately become two of the biggest stories to monitor entering Week 3.
Mahomes and Chiefs Escape in Overtime
Kansas City survived one of Sunday's most entertaining games, defeating Indianapolis 33-30 in overtime.
Patrick Mahomes continued his impressive return from knee surgery by throwing for 382 yards and three touchdowns. The Chiefs needed overtime to finish the job, but Mahomes again showed the mobility and off-platform playmaking that has defined his career.
Elsewhere, Week 2 delivered several eye-opening results. New Orleans went into Baltimore and defeated the Ravens 24-17, Carolina overwhelmed Atlanta 34-3, Las Vegas improved to 2-0 with a 26-14 victory over the Chargers, and Seattle crushed Arizona 31-7.
Dallas also rebounded from its Week 1 loss with a 37-20 win over Washington. Dak Prescott completed 26 of 31 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns as the Cowboys scored on seven of their eight possessions.
Monday Night Football: Giants vs. Rams
Now the spotlight moves to SoFi Stadium.
The Giants arrive with momentum following an impressive season-opening victory over Dallas. Quarterback Jaxson Dart completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns while adding 54 rushing yards.
New York also displayed an ability to control possession. Four of its seven offensive drives reached double-digit plays, giving Dallas limited opportunities to establish an offensive rhythm.
That formula could be important again Monday night.
The Rams are trying to recover after scoring only seven points in their opening loss to San Francisco in Australia. Matthew Stafford finished the opener with 155 passing yards and an interception, while Los Angeles struggled to resemble the explosive offense it displayed during the 2025 season.
For Sean McVay and the Rams, Monday represents an early opportunity to reset the tone of the season.
Aaron Donald Plans His Return
The biggest storyline on the Los Angeles defense is the expected return of Aaron Donald.
Donald retired following the 2023 season before announcing his return to the Rams on August 30. He did not play in Los Angeles' Week 1 game in Australia, but said during preparation for the Giants that playing Monday night was "the plan."
If Donald takes the field, it will be his first NFL game in nearly three years.
His return carries even more importance because star pass rusher Myles Garrett underwent knee surgery following the Rams' season opener and is unavailable.
Donald might not immediately handle his old full-game workload, but even a limited role could change how New York protects Dart and attacks the middle of the Rams defense.
Puka Nacua's Status Looms Large
The Rams also have uncertainty surrounding wide receiver Puka Nacua.
Nacua caught five passes for 74 yards in the opener but missed Friday and Saturday practices. He is officially listed as questionable for Monday night because of a hip issue, with Sean McVay also describing separate groin soreness.
Los Angeles receiver Jordan Whittington is doubtful with a quadriceps injury, while safety Kamren Kinchens has been ruled out because of a hamstring injury.
If Nacua cannot play or is limited, the Rams could lean more heavily on Davante Adams, Kyren Williams and their short passing game.
Giants Secondary Faces Its Own Test
New York isn't entering the matchup completely healthy either.
Cornerback Paulson Adebo has been placed on injured reserve because of a knee injury, while cornerback Deonte Banks is questionable with a calf injury. Linebacker Micah McFadden is also questionable because of a neck injury.
That makes Stafford versus the Giants secondary one of the night's most important matchups.
If Los Angeles can protect Stafford, the Rams should have opportunities to test New York vertically. But if Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and the Giants pass rush consistently disrupt the pocket, Los Angeles could again struggle to generate explosive plays.
Three Things to Watch Tonight
Can Jaxson Dart control the game again? New York doesn't necessarily need Dart throwing 40 times. The Giants' Week 1 formula worked because Dart was efficient, extended plays with his legs and helped New York sustain long possessions.
What does Aaron Donald look like after the long layoff? Donald remains one of the defining defensive players of his generation, but nearly three years without an NFL snap creates legitimate questions about workload and conditioning.
Can Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense respond? One poor performance doesn't define a season, but another offensive struggle would leave Los Angeles searching for answers heading into a difficult upcoming schedule.
Bottom Line
Monday night's game carries more intrigue than the records alone suggest.
New York has an opportunity to follow its opening victory over Dallas with another statement against one of the NFC's most talented rosters. Los Angeles, meanwhile, is trying to prevent an 0-2 start while welcoming Aaron Donald back to an already star-filled defense.
The availability of Puka Nacua could dramatically change the Rams offense, while New York's banged-up secondary will be tested by Stafford and Davante Adams.
It is only Week 2, but this one already feels considerably bigger for Los Angeles. The Rams need a response. The Giants have an opportunity to prove their opening-week performance was more than an early-season surprise.
Monday Night Football gets the final word on Week 2.
Sources
- NFL.com — Giants vs. Rams: Three Must-Know Storylines
https://www.nfl.com/news/giants-rams-three-must-know-storylines-monday-night-football-week-2 - NFL.com — 2026 NFL Week 2: What We Learned From Sunday's Games
https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-nfl-season-week-2-what-we-learned-from-sunday-s-games - Associated Press — Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels Injury Update
https://apnews.com/article/caleb-williams-jayden-daniels-injury-e9061891fa0c162db694681635a43155 - ESPN — Aaron Donald Plans to Play; Puka Nacua Injury Update
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49975442/rams-donald-plans-play-vs-giants-nacua-hip-misses-practice - NFL.com — Puka Nacua Questionable Against Giants
https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-wr-puka-nacua-hip-to-miss-another-practice-questionable-to-play-monday-vs-giants - New York Giants — Official Giants-Rams Injury Report
https://www.giants.com/news/injury-report-statuses-for-giants-vs-rams-on-monday-night-football - Los Angeles Rams — Giants vs. Rams Viewing and Game Information
https://www.therams.com/news/los-angeles-rams-vs-new-york-giants-how-to-watch-listen-to-and-live-stream-week-2-2026-monday-night-football