The New England Patriots added two more players to the injury report on Friday, raising a few eyebrows about possible contributions on Sunday. Players that do not practice on Friday are usually not expected to play, although exceptions have been made.
WR Chris Hogan (back) and DE Chris Long (not injury related) missed practice on Friday, with Hogan’s availability on Sunday in jeopardy. Long should be expected on Sunday because his game status has not been changed.
Questionable
TE Martellus Bennett (ankle)
DT Alan Branch (back)
WR Julian Edelman (foot)
WR Chris Hogan (back)
Bennett is expected to have a big day against a Seahawks defense that can struggle at times against big, physical tight ends. Branch believes that he will play on Sunday against the Seahawks rushing attack. Edelman has played through a foot injury for most of the season and should be well rested after the bye.
Hogan is the Patriots deep threat and we have to wonder if he would have been an integral part of the Patriots game plan against a Seahawks defense that loves to force 10+ play drives. If Hogan can’t play, look for WR Danny Amendola and WR Malcolm Mitchell to have bigger roles.
The Seahawks declared DE Michael Bennett (knee) and RB Thomas Rawls (fibula) out, which eliminates Seattle’s best defensive lineman and top running back. The Seahawks rushing attack has been horrible as of late and the continued absence of Rawls is a big reason why.
CB DeAndre Elliott (hamstring), OT Bradley Sowell (knee), and TE Luke Wilson (knee) are all questionable.