Week 9 M*A*S*H Report: AFC Division Leaders Top Injury Headlines
In Week 9, more key players are slated to miss action from teams that you may have wanted to bet on. Among the teams more affected are Houston and New England. Will both teams be able to maintain supremacy in their respective division?
Texans vs Broncos
The AFC South-leading Texans are receiving huge public love as small underdogs in Denver. But be careful before you join the masses because the Texans will miss both starting cornerbacks, Aaron Colvin and Johnathan Joseph, to injury. Starting linebacker Zach Cunningham will join them. On offense, upstart rookie receiver Keke Coutee may join them. Denver’s secondary, however, is also wounded. The Broncos will miss a starting cornerback and starting safety and an inside linebacker will join them. DaeSean Hamilton won’t be available to help Denver’s receiving corps fill the gap left by the trade of Demaryius Thomas to Houston. Royce Freeman may also be absent again, leaving Philipp Lindsay the challenging goal of improving upon his 5.7 yards per carry average. After a month’s absence, though, Denver gets its starting right tackle back.
Steelers vs Ravens
Baltimore is in a much worse injury situation. Both starting tackles have been ruled ‚out,‘ bad news against a defense that ranks seventh in sack percentage. Plus, Baltimore may miss its starting left guard as well. On defense, linebacker Tim Williams will definitely miss this game, which means that Baltimore will miss an important pass rusher. Star linebacker C.J. Mosley finally returned to practice on Friday, but was reportedly uncomfortable in his movement. His availability against Pittsburgh with its burgeoning rush attack shouldn’t be counted on. For Pittsburgh, two cornerbacks—the second- and third-best on the team— are listed as ‚questionable.‘ Their absence would help a pass-first Baltimore offense as long as Baltimore’s somewhat debilitated offensive line can protect against the pass.
Lions vs Vikings
The Vikings will miss linebacker Anthony Barr but the secondary and offensive line each gets a boost respectively with the likely return of Xavier Rhodes and Riley Reiff. At wide receiver, Stefon Diggs still hasn’t practiced this week, including on Friday, indicating that his status is more doubtful than his official ‚questionable‘ tag implies. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, though, still has top receiver Adam Thielen available. He easily leads the team in both yards and receptions. He and the rest of the pass attack will strongly benefit if Detroit’s top cornerback Darius ‚big play' Slay is injured. He was limited in practice on Friday and is currently listed as ‚questionable.‘
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Falcons vs Redskins
In addition to the starting safety and starting linebacker already on injured reserve, Atlanta will miss cornerback Robert Alford. Washington’s offense, however, is in an awful situation that may prevent them from covering the spread as small favorites. Left tackle Trent Williams, backup running back Chris Thompson, and wide receiver Jamison Crowder will be absent. Fellow receiver Paul Richardson is listed as ‚questionable,‘ but his availability is hopeful.
Packers vs Patriots
This game features the second-highest total on the NFL odds board and the „over" is receiving the most love from bettors in terms of number of tickets. But bettors should monitor the injury report before finalizing their „over“ wager because New England has 13 players listed as ‚questionable‘ on the injury report. New England’s top offensive lineman, starting right guard Shaq Mason, has been ruled „out.“ New England, a team that had struggled to find competent wide receivers for Brady to throw to, has three wide receivers listed as ‚questionable.‘ Julian Edleman, Josh Gordon, and Cordarrelle Patterson were limited in Friday’s practice. Star tight end Rob Gronkowski had missed practice all week but was upgraded to limited participation on Friday. For Green Bay, wide receiver Geronimo Allison will probably be absent, although Rodgers still has plenty of weapons to throw to.
Chiefs vs Browns
The Browns are in serious trouble. Leading tackler, linebacker Joe Schobert will be absent again. Plus, starting safety Damarious Randall did not participate in Friday’s practice and is listed as ‚questionable,‘ although he said that he will play on Sunday. Wide receiver Antonio Callaway’s status is also up in the air after he missed practice on Friday. Cleveland is already lacking in quality at wide receiver. Cleveland’s o-line may also take a hit. Tackle Desmond Harrison did not practice on Friday due to an illness. Kansas City’s situation looks better. Most importantly, wide receiver Tyreek Hill will play. Linebackers Justin Houston and Anthony Hitchens were upgraded to limited participation in practice on Thursday. They are listed as ‚questionable.'
In Week 9, more key players are slated to miss action from teams that you may have wanted to bet on. Among the teams more affected are Houston and New England. Will both teams be able to maintain supremacy in their respective division?
Texans vs Broncos
The AFC South-leading Texans are receiving huge public love as small underdogs in Denver. But be careful before you join the masses because the Texans will miss both starting cornerbacks, Aaron Colvin and Johnathan Joseph, to injury. Starting linebacker Zach Cunningham will join them. On offense, upstart rookie receiver Keke Coutee may join them. Denver’s secondary, however, is also wounded. The Broncos will miss a starting cornerback and starting safety and an inside linebacker will join them. DaeSean Hamilton won’t be available to help Denver’s receiving corps fill the gap left by the trade of Demaryius Thomas to Houston. Royce Freeman may also be absent again, leaving Philipp Lindsay the challenging goal of improving upon his 5.7 yards per carry average. After a month’s absence, though, Denver gets its starting right tackle back.
Steelers vs Ravens
Baltimore is in a much worse injury situation. Both starting tackles have been ruled ‚out,‘ bad news against a defense that ranks seventh in sack percentage. Plus, Baltimore may miss its starting left guard as well. On defense, linebacker Tim Williams will definitely miss this game, which means that Baltimore will miss an important pass rusher. Star linebacker C.J. Mosley finally returned to practice on Friday, but was reportedly uncomfortable in his movement. His availability against Pittsburgh with its burgeoning rush attack shouldn’t be counted on. For Pittsburgh, two cornerbacks—the second- and third-best on the team— are listed as ‚questionable.‘ Their absence would help a pass-first Baltimore offense as long as Baltimore’s somewhat debilitated offensive line can protect against the pass.
Lions vs Vikings
The Vikings will miss linebacker Anthony Barr but the secondary and offensive line each gets a boost respectively with the likely return of Xavier Rhodes and Riley Reiff. At wide receiver, Stefon Diggs still hasn’t practiced this week, including on Friday, indicating that his status is more doubtful than his official ‚questionable‘ tag implies. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, though, still has top receiver Adam Thielen available. He easily leads the team in both yards and receptions. He and the rest of the pass attack will strongly benefit if Detroit’s top cornerback Darius ‚big play' Slay is injured. He was limited in practice on Friday and is currently listed as ‚questionable.‘
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Falcons vs Redskins
In addition to the starting safety and starting linebacker already on injured reserve, Atlanta will miss cornerback Robert Alford. Washington’s offense, however, is in an awful situation that may prevent them from covering the spread as small favorites. Left tackle Trent Williams, backup running back Chris Thompson, and wide receiver Jamison Crowder will be absent. Fellow receiver Paul Richardson is listed as ‚questionable,‘ but his availability is hopeful.
Packers vs Patriots
This game features the second-highest total on the NFL odds board and the „over" is receiving the most love from bettors in terms of number of tickets. But bettors should monitor the injury report before finalizing their „over“ wager because New England has 13 players listed as ‚questionable‘ on the injury report. New England’s top offensive lineman, starting right guard Shaq Mason, has been ruled „out.“ New England, a team that had struggled to find competent wide receivers for Brady to throw to, has three wide receivers listed as ‚questionable.‘ Julian Edleman, Josh Gordon, and Cordarrelle Patterson were limited in Friday’s practice. Star tight end Rob Gronkowski had missed practice all week but was upgraded to limited participation on Friday. For Green Bay, wide receiver Geronimo Allison will probably be absent, although Rodgers still has plenty of weapons to throw to.
Chiefs vs Browns
The Browns are in serious trouble. Leading tackler, linebacker Joe Schobert will be absent again. Plus, starting safety Damarious Randall did not participate in Friday’s practice and is listed as ‚questionable,‘ although he said that he will play on Sunday. Wide receiver Antonio Callaway’s status is also up in the air after he missed practice on Friday. Cleveland is already lacking in quality at wide receiver. Cleveland’s o-line may also take a hit. Tackle Desmond Harrison did not practice on Friday due to an illness. Kansas City’s situation looks better. Most importantly, wide receiver Tyreek Hill will play. Linebackers Justin Houston and Anthony Hitchens were upgraded to limited participation in practice on Thursday. They are listed as ‚questionable.'
