After three days of off-field work, the New England Patriots returned to the practice fields today for a walkthrough. The team held its first session of preparation for the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos inside Empower Field House and had near perfect attendance.
Let's take a look at today's injury report (via patriots.com):
WR Matthew Slater (Shin): DNP
WR Danny Amendola (Knee): LP
TE Scott Chandler (Knee): LP
LB Jamie Collins (Back): LP
SS Nate Ebner (Hand): LP
WR Julian Edelman (Foot): LP
LB Darius Fleming (Back/Shin): LP
LB Jonathan Freeny (Hand): LP
TE Rob Gronkowski (Knee/Back): LP
LB Dont'a Hightower (Knee): LP
OG Tre' Jackson (Knee): LP
DE Chandler Jones (Abdomen/Toe): LP
DE Rob Ninkovich (Shin): LP
OC Bryan Stork (Ankle): LP
OT Sebastian Vollmer (Ankle): LP
OT LaAdrian Waddle (Shoulder): LP
QB Tom Brady (Ankle): FP
OG Josh Kline (Shoulder): FP
WR Brandon LaFell (Foot): FP
FS Devin McCourty (Ankle): FP
As can be seen, Patriots defensive stalwarts Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones, who both left the Patriots' divisional playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to injury, were back on the field today – as was linebacker Dont'a Hightower, who missed parts of the game. Having all three players back on the practice fields is great sign for their rehabilitation process and their availability going forward.
Guard Tre' Jackson, who has missed most of last week's practices and the Patriots' game against the Chiefs, returned today. However, the Patriots did not have perfect attendance because special teams ace Matthew Slater missed the session due to a shin injury. Slater was available for the pre-practice media session, so his injury does not seem to be overly serious.
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The Broncos' injury report looks as follows (via patriots.com):
SS Josh Bush (Shoulder): FP
TE Owen Daniels (Knees): FP
LB Todd Davis (Shoulder): FP
OC Max Garcia (Groin): FP
CB Chris Harris Jr. (Shoulder): FP
QB Peyton Manning (Foot): FP
LB Brandon Marshall (Ankle): FP
QB Brock Osweiler (Knee): FP
FS Darian Stewart (Hamstring): FP
SS T.J. Ward (Ankle): FP
DE DeMarcus Ware (Knee): FP
Judging by their report, the Broncos are as healthy as they could possibly be this time of the season.