NFL Week 1 Injury Report

The Buffalo Bills begin the season before just about anyone else, as they have to get on a plane Wednesday and make the cross-country trip to take on the Los Angeles Rams. All signs point to safety Jordan Poyer getting on that plane with the rest of his teammates and playing in Week 1.

Poyer hyperextended his elbow at the beginning of camp, and the team has been cautious with him ever since. However, with cornerback Tre’Davious White beginning the season on the PUP list, it is extra important for the Buffalo defense to have Poyer starting in Thursday’s opener. 

Buffalo is the current betting favorites to win the title, priced at +600, as per Super Bowl odds.

Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford will start Week 1. The Rams are planning on having him for every week after that. According to coach Sean McVay, Stafford’s elbow will come Thursday with “no limitations”

It was McVay who called the injury “abnormal for a quarterback,” and there are reports circulating that it will be something that he has to work around all season long. There is said to be pain in the elbow, and it’s possible that could alter his mechanics. Structurally, everyone with LA says he is good to go.

According to NFL odds, the Rams enter Thursday’s game with the Bills as 2½-point underdogs.

The last four defending Super Bowl champions-the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers-all were winners in Week 1.

Cam Akers – Los Angeles Rams

After a season on the sideline with a torn Achilles, there were concerns about the soft tissue injuries that held Cam Akers out of practice the last weeks. He’s been given the green light to go Thursday night, LA will have a full complement of healthy rushers for the first time since 2020.

As a 2020 rookie, Akers ran for 625 yards (4.3 yards/carry). Last season, just five carries.

A bet on Akers to win Comeback Player of the Year pays +2500 at BetUS (Use promocode SBA125 for a 125% signup bonus)

Harold Landry – Tennessee Titans

There isn’t anything to watch about Harold Landry in Week 1. He’s done for the season after tearing his ACL. What is worth watching is how the Titans pass rush operates without Landry. Tennessee is hosting the New York Giants in its opener.

If the Titans do not get pressure on Giants’ quarterback Daniel Jones, there’s still available free agent options.

Jason Pierre-Paul is out there, assuming the former Giants’ recovery from off-season shoulder surgery is nearing its completion. Dee Ford is also out there, but he is another injury risk, just 18 games played in the last three seasons. However, when healthy, he’s an excellent pass rusher.

Immediate hole left by Landry will need to be filled by Bud Dupree, back after his own ACL injury. Also, second-year defensive end Rashad Weaver will also have an opportunity after missing most of last season.

Tee Higgins – Cincinnati Bengals

Standout wide receiver Tee Higgins missed all of the Bengals’ preseason following his off-season shoulder surgery. Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor has been adamant that it was only done out of caution and that Higgins would be physically ready to go at the start of the season.

He’s still missing practice, even after the end of preseason, and there might be some concern now that the regular season is here.

Maybe he’ll be fine, as Taylor claims, but Higgins’ practice schedule is definitely one to watch.

The Bengals are priced at +1100 to repeat as AFC champions.

Deebo Samuel – San Francisco 49ers

Do not be alarmed if you don’t see Deebo Samuel get in a full week of practice before the San Francisco 49ers visit the Chicago Bears Sunday. He bruised his knee in the preseason’s final game, and was held out of practice last week.

The team, however, says that Samuel is fine and that his practice schedule won’t dictate his availability for the game in Chicago.

The 49ers at +160 to win the (NFC) West at BetUS.com