3 NFL Injuries That Will Impact the Lines in Week 9

The NFL injury list grew longer on Sunday, as multiple high-profile starters went down with potentially season-ending injuries.

Nobody likes to hear about NFL injury news, but it does significantly affect the NFL betting lines. That’s especially true this week, as NFL injuries impact the following games.

• Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-6)
• Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee Titans (+7.5)
• Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens (-5.5)

In the article below, I’ll provide an NFL injury update to help bettors prepare for Week 9.

Jameis Winston’s Torn ACL

The New Orleans Saints are one of the surprise stories of the 2021 season as they head into Week 9 with an impressive 5-2 record. The Saints sit just 0.5 games back of Tampa Bay for the lead in the NFC South, but they’ll have to play on without starting quarterback Jameis Winston.

The former first-overall draft pick suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sunday. Despite the loss of their quarterback, the Saints are 5.5-point favorites against at home against the Atlanta Falcons.

The former first-overall draft pick suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sunday. Despite the loss of their quarterback, the Saints are 5.5-point favorites against at home against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Saints are in a difficult position here, as they are also without their other potential starting quarterback, Taysom Hill. The dual-threat quarterback is currently in the NFL’s concussion protocol and doesn’t have a timetable to return. If Hill can’t go, the Saints will go with Trevor Siemian as the starter against the Falcons.

Derrick Henry’s Broken Foot

It appears that Derrick Henry’s historic season will be cut short, as the NFL’s leading rusher suffered a foot injury that will require surgery. There is a chance that Henry could return for the playoffs, but his absence will impact the Titans’ odds throughout the rest of the regular season.

Tennessee plays the Los Angeles Rams at home on Sunday Night Football in Week 9, and the Titans are 7.5-point underdogs. However, reports indicate the Titans are thinking about signing veteran running back Adrian Peterson to fill in for Henry.

If the Titans don’t sign another running back, they’ll likely turn to Jeremy McNichols as their primary RB. This year, McNichols has performed well as a pass-catching back, racking up over 200 yards through the air on 21 catches.

Danielle Hunter’s Torn Pectoral Muscle

Minnesota’s playoff hopes took a blow on Sunday when they lost to the Cowboys to fall to 3-4 on the season. The Vikings suffered another blow on Monday when news emerged that Danielle Hunter might require season-ending pectoral surgery for an injury he sustained in Sunday’s loss.

Hunter has six sacks on the season, and his presence will be sorely missed by a Vikings defense that can hardly afford any setbacks.

When Hunter exited the game on Sunday, he was replaced by backup defense end D.J. Wonnum. The second-year defense player appeared in 14 games for the Vikings in 2020, leading all defensive rookies with three sacks.

While Wonnum is a capable defensive end, few players in the league can match Hunter’s physical presence. Oddsmakers don’t seem to like the Vikings’ chances without Hunter, making Minnesota 5.5-point underdogs in their game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9.

Monitoring the NFL Injuries for Week 9

With star players suffering severe injuries in Week 8, the betting lines have shifted for Week 9.

Sports betting lines can change on a dime, though, so it’s worth monitoring these situations to see if the Saints, Titans, or Vikings sign new players to replace their injured stars. NFL injuries can cause teams to make panic moves, especially for playoff contenders, so checking odds frequently before placing bets is essential.

You can stay on top of NFL betting lines and odds by visiting the BetMGM site. Sign up for an account today to place bets on all of this weekend’s NFL action.