Taylor Bicht
2 min read • August 21, 2024
Posted in
As the new NFL season approaches, several teams are grappling with significant injury issues that could impact their performance. These injury concerns present valuable opportunities for savvy bettors to target teams with depleted rosters in the betting market. This free sample highlights some of the top selections to consider, with more available at SIC Picks.
Breece Hall, who boasts a SIC Score of 94, tore his ACL in 2022 but bounced back with a solid season in 2023. Our panel of Pro Football Docs were worried about his ability to cut/slash but Hall exceeded expectations playing in all 17 games and finishing with over 1,500 total yards and 9 touchdowns.
Pro Football Docs expect Hall to have an even bigger season in 2024, especially with the return of Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Now in his second season post-ACL injury, Hall is poised to be a top-5 fantasy RB. The addition of a new and improved offensive line will only bolster his chances of achieving this over prop.
J.K. Dobbins was cleared for football activities in late March after suffering a torn Achilles in Week 1 of last season. Eager to shed the injury-prone label, Dobbins claims to be "100 percent" healthy. However, at sicscore.com, we remain cautious about his production, as we do not expect him to play to his full potential due to this being his second major injury in two years. Currently listed as RB2 on most Chargers depth charts, Dobbins is likely to split time with Gus Edwards.
While Dobbins is more useful in the passing game due to his receiving abilities, the red zone and goal-line opportunities will likely belong to Edwards, who excelled in that area with 13 touchdowns in 2023, all inside the 10-yard line, including 7 from the 1-yard line. Expect Edwards to be leaned on more in the running game, which makes it likely that Dobbins will fall short in the rushing prop department this season.
The Dolphins face significant concerns on the offensive line, particularly on the left side heading into the 2024 season. Left tackle Terron Armstead’s durability over a 17-game slate is questionable, and left guard Isaiah Wynn remains on the PUP list due to a quadriceps injury suffered last year. New free agent signee WR Odell Beckham Jr. begins the season on the PUP list but is expected to be ready by Week 1. On a positive note, key offensive players like Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and De’Von Achane are healthy and poised for strong seasons.
Defensively, the Dolphins are dealing with critical issues in their pass rush. Both outside linebackers, Jalen Phillips and Bradley Chubb, will not start the season due to major injuries—Phillips is recovering from an Achilles injury, and Chubb from an ACL injury. With over 15 sacks sidelined, the pass rush is a major concern, compounded by the retirement of Shaq Barrett, who was expected to fill in until their return. As a result, the Dolphins enter the season with the second-lowest SIC score, highlighting their injury-related vulnerabilities.
The 49ers' defense faces significant challenges, with two of their star players on the PUP list and unlikely to be ready for the season opener. Dre Greenlaw is recovering from an Achilles injury, and Talanoa Hufanga is dealing with an ACL injury. These absences could severely impact the team's defensive performance. Additionally, both left guard and right guard positions are dealing with injuries, which could lead to issues on the offensive line, especially with the left tackle still not agreeing to a new contract. There is also the potential loss of key wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, further complicating the team’s outlook.
A new concern has emerged for star running back Christian McCaffrey, who is dealing with a calf injury. While he is expected to be ready for the season opener, he will sit out the entire month of August to recover. With defensive worries, injuries affecting three-quarters of the running back room, and ongoing offensive line issues, it is believed that the 49ers may struggle to maintain their dominance throughout a full 17-game season.
SIC PICKS ARE INSIDER INJURY KNOWLEDGE FROM FORMER PRO SPORTS TEAM DOCTORS TO GIVE YOU A WINNING EDGE IN SPORTS BETTING!
SIC PICKS are powered by the proven SIC Score algorithms from our exclusive panel of former Pro Sports Team doctors to give you a sports betting edge. Each day our team of doctors analyze the players and teams and share their expert insights to help you make informed bets on the biggest unknown to sportsbooks and sports bettors - player health and injuries!
Written by Taylor Bicht