Bucs vs. Rams NFL Week 3 injury report, spread, odds: Antonio Brown, Jason Pierre-Paul expected out, Darrell Henderson in question

In Tom Brady's unprecedented NFL career, he has played games in 36 different cities (including two international) and 43 stadiums, but Sunday will be his first-ever professional game in Los Angeles and at SoFi Stadium, home of Super Bowl 56. The Bucs, on a 10-game winning streak including playoffs, opened as short underdogs against the Rams but are now 1-point favorites despite that fact that receiver Antonio Brown and pass-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul are both expected out. The big injury concern for L.A. is running back Darrell Henderson Jr.

Brown reportedly has tested positive for COVID – even though the entire Bucs team, including coaches, is vaccinated -- so it's an unlikely race against time to be cleared for Sunday. Brown had a huge opening game vs. the Cowboys with five catches for 121 yards and a TD but just one grab for 17 yards last Sunday against Atlanta. When Tampa Bay lost 27-24 at home to L.A. last season, Brown had eight catches for 57 yards. The Bucs are very deep at wideout, though.

Pierre-Paul is dealing with a shoulder issue that is expected to sideline him. The veteran has played 88 percent of Tampa Bay's defensive snaps so far and has nine tackles and a pass defensed. He was a Pro Bowler in 2020 with 9.5 sacks and had an interception in that Rams loss. 

Brady leads the NFL with nine touchdown passes and is on pace for 76.5 in the new 17-game regular season, which obviously would shatter the league record of 55 by Peyton Manning in 2013 with the Broncos. SportsLine NFL oddsmakers give Brady longer-shot odds of +500 to break Manning's record and -1100 to finish at 55 or fewer TD passes. Led by TB12, Tampa is the first team in NFL history to score at least 30 points in nine straight wins.

Caesars gives Brady odds of +300 to lead the league in TD passes overall. Some books have him as the MVP favorite, but Caesars has Brady as a +700 third-favorite behind Patrick Mahomes (+550) and Kyler Murray (+600).

The Rams lost No. 1 running back Cam Akers to a season-ending injury early in training camp and now his replacement, Henderson, is dealing with rib cartilage injury. We should get word later today if he can play; if not, it would mean a huge boost in playing time for trade acquisition Sony Michel, a former teammate of Brady's with the Patriots. Michel didn't play much in Week 1 because he was so new to the team but had 10 carries for 45 yards last week in a win over the Colts.

The Rams bring a pretty incredible streak into this one as they are 39-0 including playoffs under Sean McVay when leading at halftime. The Rams are 0-3 ATS as home underdogs under McVay.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Will Tom Brady break the single-season NFL passing TD record (55) in 2021?

• No -1100
• Yes +500

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