It might be Thanksgiving but that does not mean that the New England Patriots won’t stop preparing for their next game. After all, the team will play one of its AFC East rivals – the New York Jets – in just three days.
Consequently, the Patriots hit the practice fields again today. And again, some key players were not part of the session as the injury report shows:
TE Martellus Bennett (Ankle): Did not practice
QB Tom Brady (Knee): Did not practice
WR Matthew Slater (Foot): Did not practice
WR Julian Edelman (Foot): Limited participation
TE Rob Gronkowski (Chest): Limited participation
WR Chris Hogan (Back): Limited participation
There was one change to New England’s report as Martellus Bennett joined Tom Brady and Matthew Slater on the list of absentees. Bennett, who deals with an ankle injury he suffered in week 5, was a limited participant yesterday. Either he has re aggravated the injury or the team simply plays it safe considering that fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski is still not 100% after suffering a chest injury two weeks ago.
For the second straight day, Brady and Slater were no-shows at practice. Slater, who was spotted in a walking boot after last week’s win in San Francisco is heading towards inactivity against the Jets. Brady, on the other hand, was expected to miss today’s session according to a report by the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride. He should, however, return tomorrow and be ready for Sunday’s game.
Gronkowski participating in two consecutive practice sessions is a good sign for his rehabilitation from the above-mentioned chest injury. Still, given his importance to the offense, the team should give its most dominant skill position player all the time he needs to get back to full strength.
While the Patriots’ injury report had one change compared to yesterday’s, the Jets had a few more:
OL Nick Mangold (Ankle): Did not participate
DB Nick Marshall (Ankle): Did not participate
DB Marcus Williams (Ankle): Did not participate
LB Bruce Carter (Quad): Limited participation
WR Brandon Marshall (Foot): Limited participation
DL Steve McLendon (Hamstring): Limited participation
WR Quincy Enunwa (Neck): Full participation
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Knee): Full participation
RB Matt Forte (Knee): Full participation
OL Breno Giacomini (Shoulder): Full participation
LB Josh Martin (Concussion): Full participation
DL Muhammad Wilkerson (Ankle): Full participation
While defensive lineman Steve McLendon returned to practice today, wide receiver Brandon Marshall was added to the injury report as a limited participant. The other changes are upgrading of fellow wideout Quincy Enunwa and special teamer Josh Martin.