With kickoff of Week 2 hours away, the playing status of some prominent names is coming into clearer focus.

Star receiver Calvin Johnson’s status is in doubt for the Lions’ home opener against the Chiefs.

We learned Thursday that Eagles WR DeSean Jackson — in the final season of his four-year rookie contract — took out a multi-million-dollar insurance policy on himself in August. It’s primary protection against injury until he finalizes what should be a monster extension with the Eagles.

Appearing on the “Cover Two Podcast” with Steve Wyche and Bucky Brooks, Eagles president Joe Banner openly discussed how the team is actively entertaining trade offers for cornerback Asante Samuel, who could be the odd man out in the secondary after the acquisitions of Nnamdi Asomugha (free agency) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (trade).

Not everybody believes that McNabb is going to be a great fit for the Vikings. Our Adam Rank believes that you should avoid him in your drafts.

After retaining Santonio Holmes, the Jets are far from certain they will be able keep free-agent WR Braylon Edwards, and are lining up other options, including Randy Moss.

The Redskins are making a run at WR Santonio Holmes, OL Marshal Yanda and DL Cullen Jenkins, league sources say, and retain interest in their own free-agent WR, Santana Moss.

For those who think the talk of Plaxico Burress going to the Eagles is unfounded, simply the result of Michael Vick expressing a desire, don’t underestimate the impact of those desires. So said NFL.com senior analyst Pat Kirwan during his Tuesday chat.

Mark Sanchez, a close friend of the NFL Network, took a few minutes during his visit Wednesday to answer some pertinent offseason questions about the Jets, his personal life and life with Rex Ryan.

Randy Moss and Terrell Owens might be a little long in the tooth, but will they still have fantasy value once the lockout ends?

It it’s Monday (and we’re sorry to say it is), that means it’s time to review Sunday night’s episode of NFL Network’s “Top 100 Players of 2011” series.

Fantasy owners should hope that WRs Vincent Jackson and Santonio Holmes don’t switch teams once free agency begins.

Here’s your chance to catch up and see what the NFL world is talking about. Check out these stories and videos from Wednesday night that you might have missed:

Santonio Holmes told his Facebook friends that he wants to return to the Jets. Braylon Edwards wants to come back, too. A lot of it has to do with the pending labor agreement.

The Steelers have the most Super Bowl championships of any franchise and, not surprisingly, some of the most iconic moments in the history of the game.