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People placing NFL bets or finalizing their fantasy football lineups for week eight have some decisions to made. The hope, of course, is that most of those decisions will be made for them with NFL teams announcing the final status of some big name players this week.
Calvin Johnson and A.J. Green are two stud wide receivers that head the list of big names, and both are expected to sit out their respective week eight matchups. That could directly impact both games for the Lions and Bengals, respectively. For the fantasy realm, it could also mean more targets for guys like Golden Tate and Mohamed Sanu this Sunday.
For the other big name injuries and what it might mean for NFL odds and the fantasy football world, let’s continue on with the week eight injury report:
Jake Locker, QB, Tennessee Titans
Locker has been dealing with numerous issues, lately specifically related to his throwing hand. The Titans have already given up on him and demoted him, but he should still backup rookie passer Zach Mettenberger this week. Mettenberger is the key thing here, as a Tennessee team that is a mild underdog to the Houston Texans probably slips even further when it comes to the likelihood of them winning. They might have a tough time covering the spread (-3) this week.
Shane Vereen, RB, New England Patriots
Vereen is dealing with an undisclosed illness and even missed practice on Friday, potentially putting his week eight availability in doubt. The Pats usually play health issues close to the chest, but it sounds like he’ll play through whatever is ailing him. That should be good news for people betting on the Patriots or using Vereen in fantasy leagues this week.
Reggie Bush, RB, Detroit Lions
Like Calvin Johnson, Bush could probably play when the Lions take on the Falcons in Londo on Sunday, but it sounds like Detroit will play it safe and sit them both out. That means fantasy owners should be all over Joique Bell, while both star players sitting out could hurt Detroit’s chances of winning on a neutral stage. The Lions are favored with a -3.5 spread this week, but perhaps they shouldn’t be.
Khiry Robinson/Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints
Both running backs are out this week, thrusting both Mark Ingram and Travaris Cadet into huge roles when the Saints host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. The Saints are narrow favorites (-2 line) at home, where they’ve gone 2-0 on the year, but losing two quality running backs isn’t ever a good thing.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
V-Jax is expected to play this week but it’s worth noting that he’s dealing with sore ribs. Mike Evans would have a much bigger role if he sat out and Tampa’s odds of winning would take a hit, but for now it looks like there’s nothing to worry about.
Owen Daniels, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Daniels was a sneaky pick in fantasy leagues this week as he was prepared to face a Bengals defense that simply cannot stop the tight end position. He’s out with a knee scope, though, and rookie Crockett Gillmore will be trusted as the starter. He’s not really a reliable fantasy option, while a little instability at tight end could hurt the Ravens on the road this week. That’s worth noting with such a small line (-2).
