The 2016 NFL season is already heading into its 12th week but the New England Patriots have not yet faced the New York Jets. This will change on Sunday when the two teams meet in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Today, the Patriots held their first practice session leading up to the game. And a look at the participation report shows that the team did not have perfect attendance:
QB Tom Brady (Knee): Did not practice
WR Matthew Slater (Foot): Did not practice
TE Martellus Bennett (Ankle): Limited participation
WR Julian Edelman (Foot): Limited participation
TE Rob Gronkowski (Chest): Limited participation
WR Chris Hogan (Back): Limited participation
The biggest news of the day are the absence of Tom Brady and the return of Rob Gronkowski.
Brady missed today’s practice because of a knee injury. He was not listed on any of last week’s injury reports nor did he appear to have injured his knee during Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. Of course, this could be as simple as soreness and New England trying to give its most important player some rest but the situation still needs to be monitored closely.
Seeing Gronkowski return to practice, on the other hand, is encouraging after he missed all of last week, including the game against the 49ers. While the Patriots should still play it safe with their All-World tight end, the simple fact that he is back on the practice fields bodes well for his rehabilitation from the chest injury he suffered two weeks ago.
The second absentee, Matthew Slater, had to leave Sunday’s game against the 49ers because of a foot injury he suffered on a punt return. The special teams standout and team captain was seen in a walking boot after the game, so his absence is no surprise.
Martellus Bennett, Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan were limited participant for all of last week’s practices at well. Bennett and Edelman did not seem to have any limitations on Sunday, while Hogan missed the game against the 49ers. Seeing him practice – albeit not yet fully – is a good sign.
While the Patriots’ star-studded injury report is rather short, the Jets’ is not:
OL Nick Mangold (Ankle): Did not participate
DB Nick Marshall (Ankle): Did not participate
DL Steve McLendon (Hamstring): Did not participate
DB Marcus Williams (Ankle): Did not participate
LB Bruce Carter (Quad): Limited participation
WR Quincy Enunwa (Neck): Limited participation
LB Josh Martin (Concussion): Limited participation
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Knee): Full participation
RB Matt Forte (Knee): Full participation
OL Breno Giacomini (Shoulder): Full participation
DL Muhammad Wilkerson (Ankle): Full participation