Week 4 M*A*S*H Report: Key Defensive Injuries Could Help Some Offenses
Several important players may be missing in Week 4, while a few will return. Either way, the injury report is a necessary tool in every bettor’s capping arsenal.
Dolphins vs Patriots
The Dolphins will likely miss a pair of defensive ends. The impaired pass rush should allow Tom Brady more time in the pocket. On offense, top wide receiver Devante Parker is listed as ‚questionable‘ with a quadriceps injury suffered during the week.
The Patriots have their own problems on offense. Defensive end Trey Flowers and Safety Patrick Chung are listed as ‚questionable.‘ The offense will miss Rex Burkhead at running back. Lack of time of possession was a big problem against the Lions and the Patriots will rely heavily on rookie back Sony Michel to help them sustain drives. Plus, Gronk and newcomer Josh Gordon are listed as ‚questionable‘ for a receiving crew that’s already sorely lacking in quality.
Jets vs Jaguars
The Jets might miss a nickel back and two starting safeties. Although whether that matters depends on whether Jags quarterback Blake Bortles can actually hit a receiver downfield. He should have sufficient protection. Guard A.J. Cann is listed as ‚questionable,‘ but fully participated in practice. Tackle Jeremy Parnell is also banged up but also participated fully in practice. The biggest question surrounds running back Leonard Fournette, the offense’s workhorse. His agility was reportedly sharp in Wednesday’s practice and he was a full participant in Friday’s practice. However, he’ll likely be a game-time decision.
Ravens vs Steelers
The Ravens’ injury situation deserves to be monitored. What’s clear is that it will be down a cornerback. However, another corner and two key linebackers (C.J. Mosley and Terrell Suggs) are also listed as ‚questionable.‘ Baltimore’s left tackle is also listed as ‚questionable.‘ If he were out, the Ravens would have to do some significant re-shifting along an offensive line that will have to deal with a sack-heavy Steelers pass rush.
Browns vs Raiders
Good news for an already strong Cleveland defense: defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and linebacker Christian Kirksey will return.
Chiefs vs Broncos
The Broncos will get a pair of corners back healthy. The statistically poor secondary will need all the help it can get against Kansas City’s breakout quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Conversely, the injury for the Chiefs’ defense looks dire. Star safety Eric Berry is still sidelined with injury. However, linebacker Dee Ford could join him. He is listed as ‚questionable.‘ Given his performance thus far, Ford's absence would deal the defense another big blow to KC’s defense.
Lions vs Cowboys
Dallas will miss linebacker Sean Lee. The Cowboys are 1-7 SU when Lee doesn’t play, but are nevertheless favored by a field goal.
Buccaneers vs Bears
Tampa Bay’s secondary and defensive line are still dinged up, although the situation isn’t as dire as before. Starting defensive tackle Beau Allen will not play, while backup Vita Vea is listed as ‚questionable,‘ despite participating fully in practice on Friday. Cornerback Carlton Davis, however, was still limited in Friday’s practice and is listed as ‚questionable.‘
The Bears themselves will miss a pair of corners. It looks like the Bucs will stick with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. Monday night’s loss to Pittsburgh was an indication that the career back-up quarterback won’t be performing at a „Fitzmagical“ level forever, but maybe he can exploit Chicago’s depletion in the secondary and put up some points. He still threw for over 400 yards on Monday Night, although coming from behind helped him to pad his stats
Saints vs Giants
The Giants are definitely at a disadvantage here. Top cornerback Eli Apple, defensive end Olivier Vernon, and tight end Evan Engram will be absent. The Saints had a number of players dinged up after last week's slugfest with Atlanta, but it looks like they’ll all play except for linebacker Manti Te’o. Alvin Kamara, who plays in 81% of New Orleans’ offensive snaps, was unsurprisingly a bit worse off. He was limited in Friday’s practice, but he’ll be fit to play.
49ers vs Chargers
The Chargers may miss their top receiver, Keenan Allen, to injury. But that pales in comparison to San Francisco’s problems. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is on IR. Without him last season, the 49ers were significantly worse in terms of offensive stats. They were 5-6 ATS before he became the starter and 4-1 ATS after he became the starter. The 49ers tried out a number of quarterbacks during the week out of desperation.C.J. Beathard will be the starter. He threw six interceptions to four touchdowns last season. Additionally, San Francisco relies primarily on two running backs for its rush attack, Matt Breida and Alfred Morris. Both are listed as ‚questionable.‘ Moreover, cornerback Richard Sherman is ‚out' and the 49ers may miss both starting safeties.
Several important players may be missing in Week 4, while a few will return. Either way, the injury report is a necessary tool in every bettor’s capping arsenal.
Dolphins vs Patriots
The Dolphins will likely miss a pair of defensive ends. The impaired pass rush should allow Tom Brady more time in the pocket. On offense, top wide receiver Devante Parker is listed as ‚questionable‘ with a quadriceps injury suffered during the week.
The Patriots have their own problems on offense. Defensive end Trey Flowers and Safety Patrick Chung are listed as ‚questionable.‘ The offense will miss Rex Burkhead at running back. Lack of time of possession was a big problem against the Lions and the Patriots will rely heavily on rookie back Sony Michel to help them sustain drives. Plus, Gronk and newcomer Josh Gordon are listed as ‚questionable‘ for a receiving crew that’s already sorely lacking in quality.
Jets vs Jaguars
The Jets might miss a nickel back and two starting safeties. Although whether that matters depends on whether Jags quarterback Blake Bortles can actually hit a receiver downfield. He should have sufficient protection. Guard A.J. Cann is listed as ‚questionable,‘ but fully participated in practice. Tackle Jeremy Parnell is also banged up but also participated fully in practice. The biggest question surrounds running back Leonard Fournette, the offense’s workhorse. His agility was reportedly sharp in Wednesday’s practice and he was a full participant in Friday’s practice. However, he’ll likely be a game-time decision.
Ravens vs Steelers
The Ravens’ injury situation deserves to be monitored. What’s clear is that it will be down a cornerback. However, another corner and two key linebackers (C.J. Mosley and Terrell Suggs) are also listed as ‚questionable.‘ Baltimore’s left tackle is also listed as ‚questionable.‘ If he were out, the Ravens would have to do some significant re-shifting along an offensive line that will have to deal with a sack-heavy Steelers pass rush.
Browns vs Raiders
Good news for an already strong Cleveland defense: defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and linebacker Christian Kirksey will return.
Chiefs vs Broncos
The Broncos will get a pair of corners back healthy. The statistically poor secondary will need all the help it can get against Kansas City’s breakout quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Conversely, the injury for the Chiefs’ defense looks dire. Star safety Eric Berry is still sidelined with injury. However, linebacker Dee Ford could join him. He is listed as ‚questionable.‘ Given his performance thus far, Ford's absence would deal the defense another big blow to KC’s defense.
Lions vs Cowboys
Dallas will miss linebacker Sean Lee. The Cowboys are 1-7 SU when Lee doesn’t play, but are nevertheless favored by a field goal.
Buccaneers vs Bears
Tampa Bay’s secondary and defensive line are still dinged up, although the situation isn’t as dire as before. Starting defensive tackle Beau Allen will not play, while backup Vita Vea is listed as ‚questionable,‘ despite participating fully in practice on Friday. Cornerback Carlton Davis, however, was still limited in Friday’s practice and is listed as ‚questionable.‘
The Bears themselves will miss a pair of corners. It looks like the Bucs will stick with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. Monday night’s loss to Pittsburgh was an indication that the career back-up quarterback won’t be performing at a „Fitzmagical“ level forever, but maybe he can exploit Chicago’s depletion in the secondary and put up some points. He still threw for over 400 yards on Monday Night, although coming from behind helped him to pad his stats
Saints vs Giants
The Giants are definitely at a disadvantage here. Top cornerback Eli Apple, defensive end Olivier Vernon, and tight end Evan Engram will be absent. The Saints had a number of players dinged up after last week's slugfest with Atlanta, but it looks like they’ll all play except for linebacker Manti Te’o. Alvin Kamara, who plays in 81% of New Orleans’ offensive snaps, was unsurprisingly a bit worse off. He was limited in Friday’s practice, but he’ll be fit to play.
49ers vs Chargers
The Chargers may miss their top receiver, Keenan Allen, to injury. But that pales in comparison to San Francisco’s problems. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is on IR. Without him last season, the 49ers were significantly worse in terms of offensive stats. They were 5-6 ATS before he became the starter and 4-1 ATS after he became the starter. The 49ers tried out a number of quarterbacks during the week out of desperation.C.J. Beathard will be the starter. He threw six interceptions to four touchdowns last season. Additionally, San Francisco relies primarily on two running backs for its rush attack, Matt Breida and Alfred Morris. Both are listed as ‚questionable.‘ Moreover, cornerback Richard Sherman is ‚out' and the 49ers may miss both starting safeties.
