The NFL is a week-to-week league, and that has never been more true than this season. One week, a Super Bowl contender can dominate their opponent, only to get humiliated by a lesser team the following week.
Some of this chaos stems from injuries, which are leaving teams short-handed during the most crucial stretch of the season. At this point of the year, almost nobody is 100%, but the healthiest teams are the ones with the best chance of victory.
Having a licensed physical therapist interpret the NFL Week 14 injury reports provides you with the information you won’t find anywhere else. It also helps you make clear-cut decisions on tight lines and take advantage of injury mismatches before the odds change.
Below are the top NFL Week 14 injuries to consider when placing your Week 14 NFL betting picks.
Please note that all NFL Week 14 odds and lines are current as of 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, December 9.
NFL Week 14 Injuries & Betting Tips
Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (Dislocated Right 5th Digit)
Cincinnati Bengals vs San Francisco 49ers
Joe Burrow suffered a dislocated 5th digit on his throwing hand Sunday as the result of a sack-fumble in the first quarter. He did not miss any snaps but was in clear discomfort throwing the football on the sidelines as he tested it out.
Due to the dislocation, the ligaments that connect at the metacarpophalangeal or proximal interphalangeal joint were damaged, leading to instability. He will have difficulty gripping the football and his accuracy may suffer.
- Read our full Week 14 Bengals vs 49ers betting picks & tips
Burrow expects to play against San Francisco and he could, but he’ll likely have his 5th digit taped to his 4th digit for support.
Cincinnati may rely more on Joe Mixon and the run game to take some of the pressure off Burrow, but don’t expect him to fade completely from the offense. The NFL gameday odds may continue to fluctuate on this one, but my betting pick is 0.5 units on the Bengals to cover the +1 spread (-110) at Caesars.
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Taysom Hill, QB, New Orleans Saints (Right 3rd Digit Mallet Finger)
New Orleans Saints @ New York Jets
Taysom Hill suffered a mallet finger injury to his middle finger during last Thursday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys. This is when the tendon at the top of the finger is torn at the distal interphalangeal joint, preventing the individual from fully extending the finger.
This injury is similar to the one suffered by Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, but Hill did not sustain a fracture, unlike Wilson.
- Read our full Week 14 Saints vs Jets betting picks & tips
Without the ability to extend his middle finger, this could affect Hill’s grip when initially holding the football or receiving the snap under center. Hill has even come out and said that he has to adjust his grips and holds to compensate for the injury.
The Jets have been improving offensively and with the Saints potentially bringing back Alvin Kamara, this makes my betting pick 1 unit on the Over 43 total points (-110) at Caesars.
Marlon Humphrey, CB, Baltimore Ravens (Right Pectoral Tear)
Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns
Marlon Humphrey suffered a right pectoral tear while trying to wrap up Steelers WR Dionte Johnson at the goal line on Sunday. While Humphrey was contracting his pectoral muscle, his body weight lengthened the muscle under tension, ripping the tendon from the bone.
- Read our full Week 14 Ravens vs Browns betting picks & tips
This will require season-ending surgery with a recovery timeline of 4-to-6 months. This injury is especially devastating to Baltimore’s defense, which has already been without All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters due to an ACL tear suffered during training camp.
Example of a pectoralis major tear. Credit: TheStephaneAndre.com
The Ravens have been held together by paper mache and chewing gum this season due to injuries and are coming off a demoralizing loss in Pittsburgh, which makes my betting pick 1 unit on the Browns Moneyline (-145) at Caesars.
Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings (Left High-Ankle Sprain)
Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Adam Thielen suffered a left high-ankle sprain during the first offensive series of Sunday’s loss to the Lions. He attempted to test out the ankle but never returned to the game.
High-ankle sprains are incredibly difficult to play through, especially on a short week. If Thielen attempted to play, he would not be able to generate any explosion while running or jumping and would be limited to routes that only allow him to pivot on his right side.
- Read our full Week 14 Vikings vs Steelers betting pick & tips
Thielen has already been ruled out for Thursday Night Football against the Steelers while Dalvin Cook is listed as questionable. According to reports, Cook will attempt to play 11 days after his shoulder dislocation.
Despite being the underdog on the road, I really like Pittsburgh’s chances to capitalize on these injuries, especially with T.J. Watt back on defense. This makes my NFL bet of the day 1 unit on the Steelers to cover the +3 spread (+105) at Caesars.
Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants (Neck Injury)
New York Giants @ Los Angeles Chargers
Daniel Jones continues to be sidelined with a neck injury that has been deemed week-to-week and may be more than a general neck sprain. This would suggest that there is a cervical disc issue that typically takes longer to heal due to bulging or herniation of the disc on the cervical nerve, causing pain, loss of neck movement, and potential weakness down the arm.
It appears the team is attempting to take the conservative approach, as they should with injuries like this. The quarterback position is further complicated due to current starter Mike Glennon working through a concussion, which means newly signed Jake Fromm could be in line to start.
- Read our full Week 14 Giants vs Chargers betting picks & tips
Fromm has never appeared in an NFL game and was the Buffalo Bills’ COVID-emergency quarterback in 2020, declared inactive every game.
Regardless of whether Glennon clears protocol or Fromm starts, the banged-up Giants won’t have the firepower to keep up with Justin Herbert and the high-flying Chargers on the road. This makes my betting pick 2 units on the Chargers Moneyline (-475) at Caesars.
Jamal Adams, S, Seattle Seahawks (Left Shoulder Labrum Tear)
Seattle Seahawks @ Houston Texans
Jamal Adams‘ season ended this week following a left shoulder injury that resulted in a labrum tear along with additional damage according to reports. This is the same shoulder that required surgery for the same injury last year. Re-tear rates following repair vary but are as high as 26 percent.
The shoulder labrum assists in deepening the shoulder socket to provide stability during movement. When it is torn, the shoulder is more likely to dislocate, creating further instability and inability to effectively use the shoulder.
- Read our full Week 14 Seahawks vs Texans betting picks & tips
This is an injury that Adams played through last year, but with Seattle already out of the playoff hunt at 4-8, this allows Adams to get a head start on rehab and get ready for 2022.
Despite this loss, the Seahawks’ defense should be fine against Houston’s anemic offense, especially if the Texans are forced to start Davis Mills at QB due to Tyrod Taylor‘s non-throwing wrist injury. This makes my betting pick 1 unit on the Seahawks Moneyline (-420) at Caesars.
Other Week 14 Notable Injuries
- Las Vegas Raiders RB Kenyan Drake suffered a broken right ankle that will end the veteran back’s season.
- Washington Football Team TE Logan Thomas avoided a left ACL tear on Sunday but suffered a significant-enough bone bruise that ultimately ends his season on injured reserve. This comes after missing six games with a hamstring strain.
- New England Patriots RB Damien Harris suffered a hamstring strain in the Monday Night Football win over the Bills. The Patriots are on bye in Week 14, but this could linger into the final games of the season as it gets colder.
Kyle’s Injury Report Betting Record: 42-28, +3.29 Units
Thanks for reading our NFL Week 14 Injury Report! For more NFL Week 14 betting tips, check out our NFL Week 14 Best Bets and NFL Week 14 Prop Bets.
