Whether you play fantasy football or bet football, it’s always important to stay on top of injuries. Here’s an early look at who went down in Week 3.
Steven Jackson, Rs: GROIN
The St. Louis Rs were an NFL betting surprise this week, toppling Washington, but their success could be short-lived if Steven Jackson is out long-term. Their workhorse back injured his groin yesterday and will have an MRI today (no word on the results as of press time).
Ray Rice, Ravens: KNEE
Ray Rice was another outstanding all-purpose back to get dinged up on Sunday. He tweaked his knee but the Ravens are optimistic the injury isn’t serious. He’ll have some tests today. If he misses time, Wills McGahee will get the start in his place against Pittsburgh’s stout front seven next week.
Jahvid Best, Lions: TOE
A week after going crazy against the Philadelphia Eagles, super rookie runner Jahvid Best got grounded quickly against the Minnesota Vikings. He injured his big toe and had trouble putting weight on it afterwards. The early diagnosis is a ligent sprain. Don’t be surprised if he sits out Week 4 against Green Bay. Betting sharps shouldn’t be picking Detroit in that matchup anyway.
Cedric Benson, Bengals: LEG
What’s with all the feature backs getting hurt yesterday? Cedric Benson’s boo-boo hardly qualifies, however. He left the ge late and the Bengals had a very capable replacement in Bernard Scott. Early indications are that Benson will be just fine.
Andre Johnson, Texans: ANKLE
All-world Texans receiver Andre Johnson has the dreaded high ankle sprain but is playing through it for now. He tweaked it on Sunday but still managed four catches for 64 yards. The good news is that it doesn’t sound like Houston will lose his services; the bad news is that he may not be as dominant as normal until the injury heals.
Demaryius Thomas, Broncos: HAND/WRIST
The explosive rookie wideout Demaryius Thomas banged up his hand and wrist late in Sunday’s loss to Indianapolis. While the injury didn’t look too serious, the Broncos may err on the side of caution and sit Thomas in Week 4. Kyle Orton was spreading the wealth anyway, hooking up with nine different receivers against Indy, so Denver can probably afford to rest Thomas.
Brett Favre, Vikings: STINGER
It’s not often that guys return to ges after stingers, which are always scary injuries. But Brett Favre is football’s ultimate iron man for a reason. He played through it against Detroit and now gets a bye week to heal up. I’d bet at any sportsbook that he’s OK.
Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings: LEG
Just like Favre, Shiancoe should be good to go in two weeks. Shiancoe called the leg injury “a little tweak” but added that “I need the bye right now.”
Now here are the week 4 NFL odds
| GE | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL POINTS | |||||||
| 199 | Denver Broncos | +6.5 +102 | +252 | OVER 41.5 -105 | ||||||
| 10:00 | 200 | Tennessee Titans | -6.5 -110 | -285 | UNDER 41.5 -105 | |||||
| 201 | Baltimore Ravens | +1 +107 | +111 | OVER 34.5 -107 | ||||||
| 10:00 | 202 | Pittsburgh Steelers | -1 -116 | -123 | UNDER 34.5 -103 | |||||
| 203 | Cincinnati Bengals | -3 -117 | -175 | OVER 37.5 -105 | ||||||
| 10:00 | 204 | Cleveland Browns | +3 +108 | +158 | UNDER 37.5 -105 | |||||
| 207 | Carolina Panthers | +13.5 -106 | +555 | OVER 45 -105 | ||||||
| 10:00 | 208 | New Orleans Saints | -13.5 -102 | -680 | UNDER 45 -105 | |||||
| 209 | San Francisco 49ers | +7 -110 | +264 | OVER 41.5 -102 | ||||||
| 10:00 | 210 | Atlanta Falcons | -7 +102 | -300 | UNDER 41.5 -108 | |||||
| 211 | Seattle Seahawks | -1.5 -110 | -123 | OVER 38.5 -105 | ||||||
| 10:00 | 212 | St Louis Rs | +1.5 +102 | +111 | UNDER 38.5 -105 | |||||
| 213 | New York Jets | -4.5 -106 | -220 | OVER 37 -105 | ||||||
| 10:00 | 214 | Buffalo Bills | +4.5 -102 | +197 | UNDER 37 -105 | |||||
| 215 | Indianapolis Colts | -9 +108 | -400 | OVER 46.5 +100 | ||||||
| 01:05 | 216 | Jacksonville Jaguars | +9 -117 | +346 | UNDER 46.5 -110 | |||||
| 217 | Houston Texans | -3.5 -104 | -190 | OVER 44 -108 | ||||||
| 01:05 | 218 | Oakland Raiders | +3.5 -104 | +171 | UNDER 44 -102 | |||||
| 219 | Arizona Cardinals | +9 -116 | +334 | OVER 46 -108 | ||||||
| 01:15 | 220 | San Diego Chargers | -9 +107 | -385 | UNDER 46 -102 | |||||
| 221 | Washington Redskins | +6.5 +100 | +244 | OVER 43 -105 | ||||||
| 01:15 | 222 | Philadelphia Eagles | -6.5 -108 | -275 | UNDER 43 -105 | |||||
| NFL FOOTBALL – MON 10/4 | ||||||||||
| GE | SPREAD | MONEY LINE | TOTAL POINTS | |||||||
| Mon 10/4 | 225 | New England Patriots | -1 -101 | OVER 46 -102 | ||||||
| 05:35 | 226 | Mii Dolphins | +1 -107 | UNDER 46 -108 | ||||||