Who’s Out, Who’s In: Week 16 NFL Injuries

Several key players went down with injuries last week, and these injuries are affecting the NFL betting lines for Week 16. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered critical injuries to skill players. In addition, the Denver Broncos may have to turn to their backup quarterback in Week 16 as they take on division-rival Las Vegas Raiders.

Read on to determine which NFL injuries will force players to miss time in the coming weeks.

Chris Godwin Out for the Season With a Torn ACL

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were on the wrong end of NFL injury news when they learned that Chris Godwin tore his ACL in Sunday’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Godwin performed well before his injury, racking up 25 receptions for 248 receiving yards in the previous two games.

Tampa Bay will miss Godwin, but they are getting a great replacement. Buccaneers wideout Antonio Brown can return from his three-game suspension in Week 16. Brown will have a tough matchup in his first game back against a Carolina Panthers defense that allows the second-fewest passing yards per game in the NFL this year.

Leonard Fournette Will Miss Rest of Regular Season

The NFC South leaders are suddenly looking a little thin at critical positions. In addition to Godwin, the Bucs also lost Leonard Fournette to a hamstring injury during Tampa Bay’s shutout loss to the Saints. Fournette leads the Buccaneers in rushing yards and touchdowns this season.

With Fournette expected to miss at least the next couple of games, it could mean an increased workload for fourth-year running back Ronald Jones II. Jones is averaging a respectable 4.7 yards per rush this season and will go up against a Carolina Panthers defense that has allowed 119 rushing yards per game over its last three contests.

Teddy Bridgewater Likely Out With a Concussion

Denver quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a scary head injury on Sunday during the Broncos game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was taken off the field on a cart. Bridgewater stayed overnight at the hospital but was released on Monday. Now, Bridgewater will enter the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Given that Bridgewater had to go to the hospital, it seems unlikely he’ll be able to clear concussion protocol in time to take the field for the Broncos matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16. Broncos backup quarterback Drew Lock will fill in during Bridgewater’s absence. Lock has appeared in three games this season for Denver and has a completion percentage of just 55%, with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Reviewing the Key NFL Injuries for Week 16

While NFL injuries often set teams back for weeks, they also allow backups to step up in the starters’ absence. Players like Ronald Jones II and Drew Lock have a chance to prove themselves in Week 16.

Injuries also impact betting lines, which is why it’s crucial to track the latest odds and line movements when wagering on games. You can head over to the BetMGM online sportsbook to get the latest odds on every Week 16 NFL matchup. Sign up today for a risk-free initial bet of up to $1,000.