The New England Patriots are hosting the media in the locker room as the team prepares for the Houston Texans on a short week. A few media members have noticed some interesting factoids about players that are walking about.
C David Andrews
David Andrews is walking fine through the locker room. @MikeGiardi saw him getting an X-ray last night.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 19, 2016
Andrews was spotted limping after the game, but he appears to be okay. He’ll be squaring off against some fella named DT Vince Wilfork on Thursday night, so the Patriots need Andrews to be as healthy as possible.
CB Malcolm Butler, CB Eric Rowe
Malcolm Butler (ankle) walked fine through the locker room. No more crutches for Eric Rowe.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 19, 2016
Butler had been battling an ankle issue last week, while Rowe was on crutches and didn’t even practice. Hopefully Butler will be healthier this week with WR DeAndre Hopkins on the schedule. Rowe needs to be healthy to pick up the defense.
LB Dont’a Hightower
Dont'a Hightower is in the Patriots locker room with no brace on his knee.
— Ryan Hannable (@RyanHannable) September 19, 2016
Hightower was unavailable this past Sunday due to a knee injury, but hopefully he’ll be ready to go. LB Jonathan Freeny actually played pretty well for the most part of Sunday, but Hightower brings an entirely different element to the defense that will be needed to generate pressure on Texans QB Brock Osweiler.
WR Danny Amendola on QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Amendola on Garoppolo: "I was just with him. We were eating some cereal." #details
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 19, 2016
Sounds like Danny Amendola thinks Garoppolo is going to play: "He's a tough kid and he's Italian. I wouldn't count him out." #Patriots
— Lisa Kraus Edwards (@LAKEdwards) September 19, 2016
While we shouldn’t expect Garoppolo to play, it would seem like the Patriots are of the opinion that Garoppolo isn’t suffering from a long term injury. The coaching staff will have to determine if Garoppolo at, what, 60% of his ability makes more sense than Jacoby Brissett at 100%, and that could be a game time decision.
WR Julian Edelman on QB Tom Brady
I saw Edelman in Brady's locker. Pretty sure he used his hair product and comb. Said something about trying to get his "mojo"
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) September 19, 2016
Is Edelman going a step too far here?