Relative to last season, the New England Patriots are in very good physical shape at this point of the season. However, not all is perfect as today’s injury report — the last of the week leading up to Sunday’s regular season finale against the Miami Dolphins — shows.
WR Danny Amendola, CB Cyrus Jones, and WR Malcolm Mitchell remained out of practice. Mitchell has better odds of playing as both Amendola and Jones have been declared out. Four other players were limited at practice and are questionable.
WR Danny Amendola (Ankle): OUT
CB Cyrus Jones (knee): OUT
WR Malcolm Mitchell (knee): Doubtful
TE Martellus Bennett (ankle/shoulder): Questionable
QB Tom Brady (thigh): Questionable
LB Dont’a Hightower (knee): Questionable
ST Matthew Slater (foot): Questionable
The Patriots likely won’t play Mitchell, which opens the door for WR Michael Floyd to have a larger role with the first team offense.
While Bennett and Brady are likely to play, the Patriots might be willing to rest Hightower and Slater until the playoffs begin.
The Dolphins have declared QB Ryan Tannehill out, while LB Jelani Jenkins and CB Byron Maxwell are both doubtful after not practicing all week.
The Dolphins defensive back seven will be almost entirely different from the team’s first match-up in week 2. Jenkins and Maxwell are unlikely to play, while S Isa Abdul-Quddus, S Reshad Jones, and LB Koa Misi are on the injured reserve. LB Kiko Alonso and rookie CB Xavien Howard are the only two members of the defensive front seven that should be the same.