NFL training camps are upon us! The march toward the 2023 Super Bowl starts every year with training camp with the latest odds changing with every injury update. Team’s championship hopes are sometimes derailed even before Week 1 hits, while other teams manage to weather the injury storms to put together deep playoff runs every year.
Having a licensed physical therapist interpret the NFL Injury News 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 is the top NFL Injury News to consider when placing your best NFL bet picks.
Please note that all NFL gameday odds are current as of 9 a.m. ET on Thursday, August 4.
Latest NFL Injury Report
NFL Injuries: Quarterback
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: Emergency Appendectomy
Return Timeline: Mid-August
Joe Burrow underwent an emergency appendectomy on July 26, which has him slated to miss some practice time, per reports. There is zero concern that this will impact the regular season with most athletes returning to full participation in two weeks.
Vikings running back Alexander Mattison and former Browns tight end Austin Hooper both missed two games in 2019 and 2020, respectively, before returning to the field. Expect Burrow to return to practice by mid-August.
A return for Week 1 would back up my betting pick pf 1 unit on the Cincinnati Bengals to win the AFC North (+200) at BetMGM.
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Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints: Torn Left ACL, MCL
Return Timeline: Week 1
Jameis Winston tore his left ACL and MCL due to an illegal horse-collar tackle back in Week 8. As ACL repairs take anywhere from nine to 12 months, this puts Winston roughly 10 months out from the procedure.
He has been able to practice in full during training camp and early reports indicate that he still has not been greatly affected. His performance in the pocket will not be impacted, but his rushing abilities may be diminished until the second half of the season as he regains his form.
NFL Injuries: Running Back
J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens: Left ACL tear
Return Timeline: Week 5
J.K. Dobbins continues to work his way back from his preseason ACL tear, missing the entire 2021 season. While ACL tears typically have a nine- to 12-month recovery timeline, additional ligament damage within the knee can slow down the rehab process.
Based on how Dobbins was hit, his left knee buckled backward, suggesting damage to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), which is on the outside of the knee. Multi-ligament tears based on location, specifically the ACL and LCL, have a return to play percentage of 55 percent.
Despite his insistence that he will be ready to start the season, he will simply need more time to rehab. Do not expect high-end output from Dobbins in 2022.
Expect that he will begin the season on the Physically Unable To Perform (PUP) list, missing the minimum four games and returning in Week 5. The Ravens return many healthy players but may have trouble getting on the same page.
James White, New England Patriots: Subluxed Right Hip
Return Timeline: Week 1
James White begins the 2022 season on the PUP list as he continues to recover from the right hip subluxation in Week 3 that ended his season. There is a low chance that he suffers re-injury, but according to reports, he was still walking around with a slight limp just weeks prior to camp.
However, due to his age and the traumatic nature of his injury, there is concern that he may not return to his prior level of function. This is despite signing a two-year deal in the offseason but was heavily based on incentives and bonuses, making it a “prove-it” deal.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars: Left Achilles tear
Return Timeline: Week 1
James Robinson was surprisingly not placed on the PUP list to start training camp after tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 14 last season. By video, he still appears to favor his left side performing drills off to the side during camp.
Expect Robinson to be in a timeshare with fellow running back Travis Etienne with workloads increasing based on who is more productive. A return from an injury such as this is quite remarkable considering the positional demands of cutting and explosive movements along with the injury timeline.
NFL Injuries: Wide Receiver
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints: Left Ankle injury
Return Timetable: Week 1
Michael Thomas began the 2022 NFL season on the PUP list following a left ankle injury but was quickly removed on July 27. The injury has limited him to just nine games over the past two years. He originally suffered a high-ankle injury in Week 1 of the 2020 season, then later re-aggravated the injury in Week 14, ending his season.
Reports initially stated that he would require surgery, but Thomas went a conservative route and wasn’t communicating with the team until June 2021. At that point, his ankle was still not fully healthy, requiring surgery to correct the original damage.
As a result of the surgery, he missed all of 2021 after the original timeline was set to be three to four months. Recent Instagram posts in May show that he is still unable to fully use the left ankle in agility and cutting drills.
It stands to reason that he can be ready for Week 1, but likely a shell of his 2019 self. Considering how long he has taken to recover from the complications, he can’t be trusted as a wide receiver until he can show he can produce.
With all the recent turnover in New Orleans, Thomas may be on the outside looking in.
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Right ACL, MCL tear
Return Timeline: Week 4
Chris Godwin was surprisingly not placed on the PUP list after tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 15 last season, potentially setting up a return in Week 1. It is, however, not likely.
This is an aggressive timeline considering he underwent surgery on Jan. 3 and is not expected to be at 100 percent anytime soon.
While he continues to rehab, the Buccaneers signed receiver Julio Jones to add another weapon for Tom Brady. This allows Godwin to not be forced to rush back to play, giving him August and September to ramp up to return in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Optimism over Godwin’s timetable makes my bet 1 unit on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the NFC South (-303) at BetMGM.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys: Left ACL, MCL tear
Return Timeline: Week 5
After suffering a left ACL tear in Week 17, Michael Gallup is expected to miss the first several games of the season. His ACL reconstruction was delayed several weeks as he also had an MCL injury that required rehab prior to undergoing surgery.
Even with the best resources, he will not be at 100 percent for the first half of the season and may end up fading as a target in the Cowboys’ offense.
- Use this NFL injury info to place bets with the top Super Bowl 57 Odds.
John Metchie, Houston Texans: Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Return Timeline: TBD
John Metchie, a second-round pick of the Texans coming off an ACL tear in the SEC Championship Game, wasn’t expected to be ready for training camp due to the injury. However, a recent diagnosis of leukemia will knock him out for the entire 2022 season.
While his form of leukemia is very treatable, a definitive timeline to return cannot be established until he is in remission. To give further context, former Texans offensive tackle David Quessenberry missed 3-plus seasons during his recovery from lymphoma whereas former Chiefs safety Eric Berry missed nine months as he battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos: Right ACL Tear
Return Timeline: Week 1 2023 Season
Tim Patrick regrettably tore the ACL in his right knee on Aug. 2 after catching a pass and attempting to run upfield before his knee buckled. Tests later revealed the severity of the injury, ending his season.
This injury is the latest setback for the former UDFA that has risen up the depth chart to lead the team in touchdowns last season.
Unfortunately, the Broncos medical staff is no stranger to early season ACL tears with wide receivers, as they rehabbed Courtland Sutton in 2020 and K.J. Hamler in 2021.
NFL Injuries: Offensive Line
David Bakhtiari, OT, Green Bay Packers: Torn Left ACL
Return Timeline: Week 1
David Bakhtiari has struggled mightily since tearing his left ACL in practice on New Year’s Eve in the 2020 season. He missed the following season with the exception of 27 snaps against Detroit in the season finale, and then was inactive for the playoffs.
During that time, he had the initial ACL reconstruction that included articular cartilage and meniscus damage followed by a second procedure to reduce swelling within the knee in 2021. During this offseason, he required yet another procedure prior to OTAs in April that slowed his progress and landed him on the PUP list to start the 2022 season.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst believes that Bakhtiari can return to an All-Pro level, but first, he must return to the field and play consistently.
Ryan Jensen, C, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Left Knee Injury
Return Timeline: Week 1 2023 Season
Ryan Jensen went down in practice after a fellow teammate fell into his left leg on July 28, with the team initially reporting that he would miss “significant time.” As of publication, there have not been official reports specifying the extent of the damage, but the fear is that he tore his ACL with additional structures injured.
The Buccaneers are reportedly in search of a veteran center such as free agent J.C. Tretter to shore up the line as they look to make another deep playoff push.
NFL Injuries: Defense
Tre’Davious White, CB, Buffalo Bills: Torn Left ACL/Meniscus
Return Timeline: Week 2
Tre’Davious White, the former All-Pro, started the 2022 NFL season on the PUP list as he continues to recover from his ACL and meniscus tear suffered on Thanksgiving against the New Orleans Saints.
He had reconstructive surgery several weeks later in mid-December, putting him on a nine- to 12-month recovery. As the Buffalo Bills kick-off the NFL season on Sept. 8, this puts Week 1 around the nine-month mark.
The Bills typically do not rush players back onto the field before they are ready, but they have maintained all offseason that White is “on schedule.” A recent video from training camp shows him sprinting, cutting, and jumping with minimal compensation.
White is currently on the PUP list, but it’s reasonable to expect that he will be removed prior to the regular season. I do not expect him to play immediately, seeing increased time around Week 2 or 3. He may also platoon the cornerback position with Dane Jackson until the second half of the season.
Despite this injury, I’m holding out hope and logging 1 unit for the Buffalo Bills to win the AFC Championship (+300) at BetMGM.
Chase Young, DE, Washington Commanders: Right ACL Tear
Return Timeline Week 5
Chase Young was placed on the PUP list to begin the season as he continues to rehab from his right ACL tear in Week 10. Head Coach Ron Rivera states that Young will miss at least the season opener and potentially more games.
It’s possible that Young could make the roster and then work his way into game shape to avoid the four-game minimum on the PUP list. However, it may be best that he moves to regular season PUP to allow the team to avoid cutting other players and give Young more time to get into playing shape.
Even when Young returns, he will need to push off the surgically repaired right leg, limiting the explosiveness that once made him a No. 2 overall pick.
Jalen Ramsey, CB, Los Angeles Rams: AC Joint Surgery
Return Timeline: Week 1
Jalen Ramsey underwent left shoulder surgery to clean up damage from an AC joint sprain that he played through during the season. At one point, he did play with sprains in both of his shoulders as the Rams marched toward the Super Bowl.
The surgery took place back on June 27 with the decision to have the procedure done in order to give his body a chance to heal on its own before needing additional help. Fortunately, the rehab timeline required for the procedure that he had is rather simple.
There is a chance that he could require further procedures if he suffers another injury to his shoulder.
It’s important to note that Ramsey was not placed on the PUP list to begin the season, indicating the confidence that both the Rams and he have in his recovery. The Rams have a Super Bowl title to defend, and with a healthy Ramsey, their odds certainly improve.
Confident in Ramsey’s status? Bet 1 unit on the Los Angeles Rams to win the NFC West (+120) at BetMGM.
Marcus Peters, CB, Baltimore Ravens: Torn ACL
Return Timeline: Week 1
Marcus Peters tore his ACL in practice just days prior to Week 1, beginning a nightmarish season for the Ravens as they lost multiple players to injury. Peters began the season on the PUP list, and by the time Week 1 of the 2022 season kicks off, he will be over 12 months removed from the injury.
The details of Peters’ injury are unknown, which explains why his rehab timeline is longer than that of similar cornerbacks. Considering the bad luck the Ravens had last season, they should not be rushing anyone back until they are fully healthy. Even when Peters does return, do not expect All-Pro levels.
Jamal Adams, S, Seattle Seahawks: Shoulder Labrum Tear/Finger Fracture
Return Timeline: Week 1
Jamal Adams underwent shoulder surgery in December of last season to repair a torn labrum, along with associated damage, which ended his season prematurely. While enough time has elapsed for his shoulder repair to be ready, it was also revealed that Adams played through finger injuries during the 2021 season, requiring surgery to correct the issues.
However, Adams had yet another setback, breaking his finger during the first week of practice. The team has stated that he will undergo surgery in the offseason and play with a special cast.
Adams or the team can elect to change their mind at any time, but if he plays with the cast, don’t expect him to be collecting many interceptions. He may also have trouble wrapping up tackles at times, potentially giving up big plays.
Darius Leonard, LB, Indianapolis Colts: Back Surgery
Return Timeline: Week 1-2
Darius Leonard underwent back surgery on June 7 after dealing with multiple ankle injuries during the season despite missing only one game. Reports indicate that part of his lingering ankle issues was the result of a nerve in his back.
Based on the wording, it’s highly likely that he was dealing with radiculopathy. This is an issue where a nerve root that branches off the spinal cord is compressed due to a bulging or herniated disc or other structures causing pain and weakness down to the affected area.
Looking at the timeline and that the Colts are hopeful that Leonard can return in Week 1, it sounds as though he had a discectomy. This is where the surgeon cuts out the offending piece of the disc to relieve pressure on the nerve root.
These rehab timelines take roughly 12 weeks, putting him right on the doorstep of Week 1, considering that he had surgery on June 7. Research indicates that 15 percent that undergo this procedure are at risk for revision decompression surgery.
Leonard can slowly ramp up to play if he needs to in order to avoid setbacks, but the goal is likely Week 1. If he can go and the rest of the team can play up to their standards, then the Colts could make a deep playoff run.
I’m throwing down 1 unit on the Indianapolis Colts to win the AFC South (-120) at BetMGM.
