Injuries continue to mount around the league, and as a result, change several teams’ playoff aspirations even before the leaves begin to change colors. Lower extremity injuries — including ankle and knee sprains along with hamstring strains — continue to dominate the injury report.
With the status of several top players in question, having a licensed physical therapist to interpret the NFL Week 5 injury reports will help you gain an advantage.
Below are the top NFL Week 5 injuries to consider when placing your Week 5 NFL betting picks. Please note that all NFL Week 5 odds and lines are current as of Thursday, October 7.
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NFL Week 5 Injuries & Betting Tips
Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings (Ankle Sprain)
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions
Dalvin Cook originally injured his ankle in Week 2 against the Cardinals and missed Week 3 as a result. He returned in Week 4 with a clear decline in his production, logging 34 yards rushing and 10 yards receiving.
At the time of the injury, the team had downplayed the significance and said he would play through it. However, ge continues to be limited in practice, suggesting the severity is greater than was reported.
The specifics of the ankle injury are not known, but the inability to drive off that leg and cut limits Cook in both the running and receiving game. Cook appears intent to work through this injury despite having a capable backup in Alexander Mattison.
The Vikings have been known to be a run-heavy offense, and if the lead horse isn’t effective, then I’d expect the offense to stall out again at times. However, they are favored against the Lions, which could help split the workload between Cook and Mattison.
Due to the volatility of the Vikings offense, my betting pick is 1.5 units on the Under 49 (-110) at Caesars.
- Read our full Week 5 Vikings vs Lions betting picks & tips.
Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys (Hamstring Strain)
Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants
Amari Cooper left Sunday’s game against the Panthers with a hamstring injury but later returned to score the go-ahead touchdown. This put the Cowboys in the lead for good, as they knocked off the unbeaten Panthers.
This injury comes after Cooper had been dealing with a foot issue from offseason surgery that limited him all training camp. It’s unknown whether the hamstring is related to the foot injury, but Cooper has come out and said that he will play Sunday.
Looking back, Cooper has only missed 3 games in his seven-year career. It’s highly likely that he will still play and produce against a lesser Giants team.
If he were to exit early, this is a game where the Cowboys could withstand his absence. However, this is an NFC East game that brings familiarity, yet unpredictability.
My betting pick is 1 unit on the Cowboys Moneyline (-330) at Caesars.
- Read our full Week 5 Cowboys vs Giants betting picks & tips.
Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (Ankle Sprain)
Cincinnati Bengals vs Green Bay Packers
Joe Mixon exited the game last Thursday with an ankle injury following a productive outing with 67 yards rushing and 1 touchdown. He’s considered day-to-day by head coach Zac Taylor, but week-to-week according to a source from Adam Schefter.
Based on the wording and available film, this suggests more of a high-ankle sprain.
Mixon could play through the injury, but I don’t believe he will be effective at all if he plays. If Mixon doesn’t go, Samaje Perine and Chris Evans would assume the workload. I believe Mixon will sit out at least one week, which should move the line in Green Bay’s favor.
Despite the Bengals starting off 3-1, I don’t see how the Bengals overtake the Green Bay Packers, which makes my NFL bet of the day 1 unit on the Packers to cover the spread -3 (-105) at Caesars.
- Read our full Week 5 Bengals vs Packers betting picks & tips.
The Cincinnati Bengals have options at running back, but without Joe Mixon, they’ll have a difficult time against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
Logan Thomas, TE, Washington Football Team (Hamstring Strain)
Washington Football Team vs New Orleans Saints
Logan Thomas exited the game against the Atlanta Falcons with a hamstring injury and has since been placed on injured reserve. Being placed on injured reserve suggests that this injury is potentially a Grade 2 strain that could extend past 4 weeks.
Fortunately, Washington’s bye week lines up well to allow him at least 4 weeks to get right before returning.
In Thomas’ place, Washington signed Jace Sternberger to take his roster spot. The loss of Thomas eliminates one of Taylor Heinicke’s top receiving options, putting additional pressure on Antonio Gibson and Terry McLaurin.
Early lines had this game as a pick’em according to Caesars, but have since moved toward the Saints since Thomas and guard Brandon Scherff has been ruled out.
My betting pick is 1.5 units on the Saints to cover the spread -2 (-110) at Caesars.
- Read our full Week 5 Washington vs Saints betting picks & tips.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Denver Broncos (Concussion)
Denver Broncos @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Teddy Bridgewater exited the Week 4 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens with a head injury and has since entered the concussion protocol. Concussion timelines are highly variable at times based on severity, but a majority of players come back after missing 1 game.
Fortunately, Bridgewater has since returned to participating in watching film and lifting weights, putting him in Stage 3 of the protocol. Once he participates in football-specific activities and reintroduces full contact, he can be cleared.
Based on this information, he is trending toward playing Sunday. The line is incredibly close at (-1) for the Steelers, but if Bridgewater can clear protocol, then I expect the line to swing towards the Broncos.
My betting pick is .5 units on the Broncos Moneyline (+100) at Caesars.
- Read our full Week 5 Broncos vs Steelers betting picks & tips.
David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears (MCL Sprain)
Chicago Bears @ Las Vegas Raiders
David Montgomery left Sunday’s game with an MCL injury that will reportedly keep him out 4-5 weeks, though he has yet to be placed on injured reserve. The MCL is vital to a running back due to the sudden cuts and pivoting required.
Without the ligament healthy, this limits Montgomery’s elusiveness, decreasing his ability to gain extra yards.
Over his career, he averages 2.1 yards after contact compared to 2.0 yards before contact, making the need to push through his knee effectively vital to his style of play. While Montgomery is out, Damien Williams is expected to start in his place with Khalil Herbert as the backup.
The NFL gameday odds have already moved to account for Montgomery’s loss, increasing the Raiders as favorites. With the loss of Montgomery as a versatile weapon and the Bears starting Justin Fields, my betting pick is 1 unit for the Raiders to cover the spread at -5.5 (-110) at Caesars.
- Read our full Week 5 Bears vs Raiders betting picks & tips.
Other Week 5 Notable Injuries
- Buffalo Bills LB Matt Milano is dealing with his fifth career hamstring strain that could keep him out against the Kansas City Chiefs. This could allow TE Travis Kelce to erupt for a big game without Milano covering him.
- Jacksonville Jaguars WR DJ Chark went to injured reserve following a left ankle fracture in last Thursday’s loss to the Bengals.
- Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander left early with an AC joint sprain Sunday. These can be played through with an injection, but Alexander may have difficulty tackling his assignments.
- Miami Dolphins CB Byron Jones is dealing with a quad and Achilles injury which could significantly hinder his ability to cover and defend passes.
- Washington Football Team’s G Brandon Scherff is dealing with an MCL sprain, keeping him out 2-to-3 weeks, potentially limiting the effectiveness of the running game.
Kyle’s Injury Report Betting Record: 16-9, +3.96 units
Thanks for reading our NFL Week 5 Injury Report! For more NFL Week 5 betting tips, check out our NFL Week 5 Best Bets and NFL Week 5 Parlay Picks.
