Patriots Injury/Illness Update and Analysis: LB Jamie Collins Still Not Practicing

New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins is still not at practice due to an illness that has forced him out of two straight games, but he appears to be on the upswing.

Per New England Patriots Draft writer Mike Loyko, Collins fell ill on the Saturday prior to the Washington game, and the weeklong illness just came with poor timing that held him out against the Giants, too. Loyko also notes that Collins was feeling better on Sunday, which aligns with with last Thursday's report from ESPN's Josina Anderson.

The illness attacked Collins' throat and made it difficult for him to eat, so his availability this week will depend on how quickly Collins can gain back whatever he's lost over the past week, according to the NFL Networks' Ian Rapoport.

With how Bill Belichick and the Patriots have been treating injuries this season, it wouldn't be surprising if they went the safe route and held Collins out from playing the Bills, with the aim of him playing the Broncos game in week 12. It's likely that Jerod Mayo and Jonathan Freeny would split the snaps next to Dont'a Hightower.

There's also the off-chance that New England could activate him this week and keep him on a snap count, just to get his football legs back for a couple drives. This will depend on whether or not Collins makes it to practice this week.

Collins is better and recovering, but his availability this week is far from certain. Hopefully we'll see him back on the field this week.