Let’s examine some news, notes and injury updates for Week 5 of the NFL schedule:
-New York Giants star rookie WR Malik Nabers has been ruled ‘out’ of Sunday’s game at Seattle. Nabers, the LSU product who remains in concussion protocol, leads the NFL in receptions (35) and targets (52) through four games. He’s tied for second in the NFL in receiving yards (386) and Big Plays (7) of 20 or more yards. Nabers is third in catches for first-down yardage (19). Once Nabers was ruled ‘out’ on Friday, the Giants went from +6.5 to +7.
-Indy QB Anthony Richardson remains ‘questionable’ at Jacksonville. The second-year University of Florida product. In four games this year, Richardson has completed 39-of-77 passes (50.6) for 654 yards with a 3/6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He has 141 rushing yards, one TD and a 6.7 yards-per-carry average. If Richardson can’t play, veteran Joe Flacco will get the starting nod. As of early Saturday morning, most books had the Jaguars installed as three-point home ‘chalk.’
-Houston RB Joe Mixon is going to miss his third straight game with an ankle injury when his team hosts Buffalo on Sunday, but WR Tank Dell is poised to return from a one-game absence due to a chest issue. In the Texans’ first two games, Mixon produced 184 rushing yards and one TD on 39 carries for a 4.7 YPC average. He also had six catches for 44 yards. Dell had nine receptions for 99 yards in Houston’s first three games. RB2 Dameon Pierce remains ‘questionable’ with a hamstring injury that’s kept him out of three consecutive contests. The Texans are one-point home favorites.
-Pittsburgh RB and special-teams ace Cordarrelle Patterson is ‘out’ of Sunday’s home game vs. Dallas with an ankle injury. In the Steelers’ first four games, Patterson has 92 rushing yards on 16 attempts for a 5.8 YPC average. He’s added seven catches for 34 yards and 153 yards on seven kickoff returns. QB Russell Wilson still hasn’t made his season debut and is listed as ‘questionable.’
-Miami RB Raheem Mostert will return from a three-game absence for a chest injury in Sunday’s AFC East battle at New England. Mostert had only nine rushing yards on six carries in team’s opener, but he produced 1,012 rushing yards, 18 TDs and a 4.8 YPC average in a breakout 2023 campaign. He also had 32 receptions for 175 yards and three TDs last season. For the Patriots, RB Rhamondre Stevenson won’t start but will play.
-As trade rumors continue to swirl about his future, Las Vegas WR Davante Adams won’t play at Denver. In three games for the Raiders this year, Adams has 18 catches for 209 yards and one TD. RB Zamir White is also ‘out’ against the Broncos, who have won back-to-back road games and are returning home as three-point favorites. In four games this season, White has 152 rushing yards and a pedestrian 3.1 YPC average.
-Minnesota TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) is ‘out’ of Sunday’s game in London vs. the Jets. After catching 95 balls for 960 yards and five TDs for the Vikings in 2023, Hockenson still hasn’t made his season debut, which makes the Vikings’ 4-0 start even more impressive.
-San Francisco TE George Kittle (ribs) remains ‘questionable’ for Sunday’s home game vs. Arizona. Kittle sat out a Week 3 game, but he returned to make four catches for 45 yards and one TD in last week’s 30-13 home win over New England. The 49ers are seven-point home favorites vs. the Cardinals, who are off an embarrassing 42-14 home loss vs. Washington.
-Speaking of the Commanders, I explained why they’re my favorite ATS pick of the weekend as three-point home favorites vs. Cleveland in this by-line for MajorWager earlier this week.
-In my latest Bets & Ballgames podcast for Southeastern16, I explained my thoughts on backing the Commanders, Broncos and Vikings as small favorites in Week 5.
-Washington RB Brian Robinson will be a game-time decision vs. Cleveland, but RB Austin Ekeler is set to return after missing last week’s win at Arizona due to a concussion. For the Browns, RB Nick Chubb is ‘out’ and TE David Njoku (ankle) is ‘questionable.’
-Atlanta WR Darnell Mooney is enjoying a breakout campaign.
–I’m also on Rutgers +7 today at Nebraska if you’re reading on Saturday before that Big Ten showdown kicks.
-If you’re ever interested in “tipping your bartender,” here’s a shameless plug to assist that cause. If you ever have any betting questions, feel free to hit me up at my e-mail address (briane.edwards11@gmail.com) or shoot me a DM on Twitter, where my handle is @vegasbedwards.
–Check back later fore more injury updates, line moves, etc., as I plan to update this story as news becomes available late Saturday and into Sunday morning. And as always, best of luck with your wagers!