David Chao, MD: Top 5 Actionable NFL Injury Issues for Week 5
The injury influenced selection of Bears and the under on Thursday provided a double winner. However, the real point is to use the Injury Index and Field View found at www.profootballdoc.com to make your own fantasy/DFS/gambling decisions. Whether it is to decide between which running back to play, a wide receiver prop or a total/side, the unique injury analysis can confirm your own thoughts or keep you out of trouble.
The first three weeks had us on the right side at 4-1 with last week dropping to 3-1-1. Lines used are at time of writing and judged only on the each of the five items as a whole. The theory is that using the hidden health information puts one on the right side of the line leading to winners over time.
Here are the top five team injury issues to consider this week:
Eagles 9 out of 11 positions on offense affected by injury
The Eagles offense Field View is about as "colorful" as we have ever posted. QB Carson Wentz gets the blame but he and RB Miles Sanders are the only two healthy offensive mainstays. With center Jason Kelce now on the injury report with a hip issue (will play), every spot on the offensive line is impacted. All three starting WRs are out and practice sqaud call ups will play. Zach Ertz is healthy but TE counterpart Dallas Goedert still on IR. The D+ passing offense of the Eagles pulled off an upset win last week against an injured 49ers defense but this Steelers defense is healthy and coming off a bye. Even laying 7 points, a well-rested Pittsburgh team should cruise. With the Philadelphia front seven healthier now, there might even be consideration for a low scoring game.
Jets medical struggles continue
The Jets have been beleaguered with controversy over how player health has been handled. QB Sam Darnold returned to finish the Week 4 game with an injection to his right throwing shoulder AC joint but is now out by management for Week 5. Veteran Joe Flacco will start but he just got cleared for contact two weeks ago after neck surgery. Even Tom Brady struggled in his first outing with Tampa and he held workouts all offseason with his new teammates. LeVeon Bell is back today after an IR stint for his hamstring but might need another week or so before he hits his stride. A relatively healthy Cardinals team has a chance to pull away with the line at -7.
Rams positioned to cruise
Washington benches Dwayne Haskins and Chase Young likely to play with groin (how effective is the question) are the headlines, but the key may be the injuries to the interior of the offensive line. Aaron Donald and the Rams defensive line can dominate healthy fronts. Overall, the Rams are healthier by a full grade. The line at -7 seems reflective of scheme and personnel alone. With injuries, I would think it should be higher. Of course, Kyle Allen at QB is the wild card.
Cowboys OL, LB and CB issues
Dallas' traditional strength has become its weakness. We have foreshadowed for a while the risk of Tyron Smith's neck/nerve issue. Now both starting tackles are on IR and the center is out. 4/5ths of the offensive line is dealing with health issues. Meanwhile the Cowboys on defense are still without a pair of starting linebackers and corners. The line has been bet down from 11 to 8.5 while the total has skyrocketed from 44 to 53. Early action would have made things more comfortable but the Giants have a chance to hang in and compete. Although +330 on the money line is tempting, playing for a closer contest within a two-score game seems the safest play.
Sunday night shootout
The Seahawks and Vikings defenses are both banged up while both offenses seem healthy. By the injury analysis this is a clear over game. Those hopping on early got the very favorable line of 49.5 which since has since ballooned to 57.
Outkick readers can now join www.profootballdoc.com for free and use the info to get the best lines early. Injury Index and Field Views are posted on Friday after final injury reports but injury information starts every Sunday night for the following week.