LAS VEGAS -- Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (shoulder) surprisingly returned to practice on Thursday on a limited basis, which was not expected leading up to Sunday’s road game at the Lions. New Orleans coach Sean Payton said the team is optimistic Graham will be a go.
The Saints are coming off a bye week following a disappointing 2-3 start and were anticipating being without Graham for a couple games. He was injured in the first half of an overtime victory against the Buccaneers before the bye after making two catches for 36 yards. New Orleans is a 2.5-point dog at Detroit and has dropped eight of 10 games when not favored away from home.
“Graham is the top tight end in the NFL, and his worth is one-and-a-half points,” said The Linemakers on Sporting News' Kenny White. “That being said, Drew Brees is a master of spreading the football around. Even at 33, Ben Watson is still a viable replacement, catching five passes versus Tampa.”
The Lions are expected to get RB Reggie Bush (ankle) back to face his former team, while WR Calvin Johnson (ankle) remains questionable after missing last week.
Next man up for New York
Two weeks ago, the Giants lost running back Rashad Jennings to a sprained MCL suffered in a home win over the Falcons. Jennings remains out, and White said last week that there is a half-point drop-off to rookie Andre Williams. Unfortunately for the Giants, they also saw wide receiver Victor Cruz go down with a torn patellar tendon last Sunday night in a loss to the Eagles.
Cruz is done for the season, so rookie Odell Beckham Jr. is the next man up for New York as the new starter opposite Rueben Randle. Beckham made his NFL debut in the game Jennings got hurt after missing the first four games with a hamstring injury. He has totaled six catches for 72 yards and one touchdown in two games so far heading into Sunday’s NFC East matchup with the Cowboys, who are 6.5-point home favorites.
“Cruz has not been involved in the offense as much as he has been in past seasons,” White said. “However, that maybe due to double coverages. He is worth one point over Beckham.”
Willis doubtful, Wagner out
Two of the top middle linebackers for two of the best defenses are dealing with similar toe injuries from last week’s games. Patrick Willis of the 49ers is listed as doubtful for Sunday night’s showdown with the Broncos (-6.5), while Bobby Wagner of the Seahawks will reportedly miss “a few weeks,” according to head coach Pete Carroll. The Seahawks (-7) visit the Rams on Sunday off a rare home loss last week to the Cowboys.
“I have Willis worth one to one-and-a-half points,” White said. “Wagner is a great story, a second-round draft pick out of Utah State and now in his third year as the starting middle linebacker for Seattle. Wagner is also worth one to one-and-a-half points.”
Bettors will want to check the NFL injury report for the status of all these players leading up to kickoff.
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