It’s not just your fantasy team, but injuries are shaking up the pro football landscape already, altering several NFL Week 3 spreads.
Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel, Isiah Pacheco, Joe Mixon, and AJ Brown are among the injured heading into the third week of action. NFL sportsbooks are monitoring their status closely and adjusting lines accordingly.
The weekend playing statuses for some of these players are already decided, while others will be news items to watch.
Kupp’s ankle adds to Rams’ woes; SF also banged up
With Puka Nacua (PCL) already on injured reserve with multiple Los Angeles Rams offensive linemen, Kupp suffered an ankle injury early in a Week 2 loss at Arizona. The Rams were never competitive in the 41-10 loss, so the former Super Bowl MVP did not return.
Kupp was in a walking boot after the game.
Rams odds have shifted from +4.5 to +7 since Sunday’s opening, and Los Angeles is +290 on the moneyline ahead of a Week 3 home game against San Francisco.
The Niners, of course, also disclosed bad injury news when they placed Christian McCaffrey on IR ahead of a Sunday loss at Minnesota. As a side note, the 49ers have taken a slight dip from +500 to +650 in the Super Bowl odds futures market. Samuel will miss Sunday’s game with a calf strain, according to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.
The Rams have dropped to +7000 to win the Super Bowl this season at BetRivers Sportsbook and now have the longest odds (ranging from +1400 to +1800) to win the NFC West.
Pacheco injury only minimally impacts KC future odds
Pacheco, Kansas City’s lead back, suffered a fractured fibula in Sunday’s win against the Bengals.
He left Arrowhead Stadium on crutches, and if tests reveal a fracture, he could miss several weeks, forcing the Chiefs to use rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine in their backfield.
KC also added veteran Kareem Hunt to the practice squad to fortify the rushing attack in Pacheco’s absence, which appears likely to be lengthy.
As long as Patrick Mahomes is healthy, though, the two-time defending champions are unlikely to see much line movement. The Chiefs are still hovering around -3.5 heading into their Week 3 matchup at Atlanta.
The Chiefs are also still huge favorites to win an eighth straight AFC West title (-430) and to become the first three-peat Super Bowl winner (+490 at FanDuel Sportsbook).
Mixon iffy for Week 3 with sprained ankle
Mixon, Houston’s top rusher, suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of Sunday night’s win over Chicago when T.J. Edwards rolled up on his foot.
Mixon was available to return, but Cam Akers handled the bulk of the carries for Houston. Akers fumbled in the red zone, and the coaching staff will almost certainly turn to Mixon, if he’s healthy.
Houston Texans odds have shifted from -4 in last week’s lookahead lines to -2.5 on Tuesday at Minnesota.
The Vikings have surprised so far during a 2-0 start but are also on injury watch ahead of Sunday, particularly in the wide receiver room.
Justin Jefferson (quad) is likely to be limited in practice, and Jordan Addison (ankle) is questionable to return after missing a Week 2 win over the 49ers.
Brown injury adding to Eagles’ woes
As if Monday’s tough loss to Atlanta wasn’t enough, the news for Philly’s star receiver is another blow.
Brown is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury.
Eagles odds for Week 3 have shifted completely, as the team was a 2.5-point favorite against New Orleans when opening odds came out Sunday and was a 2.5-point underdog Tuesday.
