NFL betting: Week 2 injury report
Every week, we'll be covering the NFL's most significant injuries and how they're affecting numbers in the betting market. Here's the outlook for Week 2.
Sam Darnold, QB, Jets (illness)
Status: Out
As if blowing a 16-0 lead to the Bills in Week 1 wasn't deflating enough, New York will be without its starting quarterback on Monday night against the Browns ... and perhaps longer.
Jets head coach Adam Gase dropped a bombshell this week, confirming Darnold will be out with mono. Originally opening as 2.5-point underdogs, the Jets climbed all the way up to +7 - albeit for a quick minute - following the news before settling at +6.5. Is the drop-off from Sam Darnold to Trevor Siemian worth four points to the spread? Probably not, but the Jets also have problems elsewhere, especially on defense: Quinnen Williams, C.J. Mosley, and Jamal Adams are all questionable for Monday.
Nick Foles, QB, Jaguars (collarbone)
Status: Out
Foles was placed on injured reserve after breaking his clavicle in the opener against Kansas City. Taking his place will be rookie Gardner Minshew, who posted 275 yards and two touchdowns with a 122.5 passer rating in relief. The Week 2 line against the Texans opened Houston -9.5, though there's been some Jags money early this week. The spread's sitting at -8.5 with some -9's popping up as well. In the original NFL look-ahead lines, the Texans were laying 3.5 points with Foles the assumed starter.
Hunter Henry, TE, Chargers (knee)
Status: Out
Hunter's been snakebitten by injuries in the past and once again finds himself sidelined. The oft-injured tight end suffered a tibial plateau fracture to his left knee in the opener, leaving the position thin for the Chargers. Elsewhere in the receiving corps, rising receiver Mike Williams is dealing with a knee injury that has kept him out of practice this week. The Chargers are laying three points on the road to the Lions on Sunday but could be down a few key players on offense.
Gareon Conley, CB, Raiders (neck)
Status: Questionable
Conley was caught in some friendly fire when he took a leg to the back of the head from fellow defensive back Jonathan Abram in Week 1. Conley's status for Sunday against the Chiefs is questionable, although defensive coordinator Paul Guenther told The Athletic's Jimmy Durkin the cornerback is "good to go." As 7-point underdogs, the Raiders need as many healthy bodies in the secondary to keep Kansas City's high-flying offense at bay.
Nick Bosa, DE, 49ers (ankle)
Status: Questionable
Bosa made his pro debut against the Buccaneers last Sunday despite dealing with an ankle sprain. Although he suffered a setback on the first snap of the game, the defensive end gutted it out. He's back on the injury report for Week 2 against the Bengals and missed practice early in the week, but it sounds as if he'll be a go for Sunday. The 49ers are currently 1.5-point underdogs on the road against Cincinnati.
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.