The New England Patriots returned to the practice fields today – and as has been reported earlier, some of the team's most valuable players were not present during the session. With the first injury report of the week just released, we now know the reason for each of the absences:
Did not participate
OC David Andrews (illness)
QB Tom Brady (achilles)
OT Marcus Cannon (ankle)
SS Patrick Chung (ankle)
TE Rob Gronkowski (illness)
WR Chris Hogan (shoulder)
David Andrews, Marcus Cannon and Chris Hogan have all missed New England's last game against the Oakland Raiders due to their respective ailments, while the other three players are new additions to the list. Tom Brady will reportedly play on Sunday despite his injury, while Rob Gronkowski's status is in doubt due to his illness. The same has to be said about Patrick Chung, who was shaken up during the Raiders game but finished the contest nevertheless
Limited particpation
WR Danny Amendola (knee)
TE Martellus Bennett (shoulder/hamstring)
DT Malcom Brown (ankle)
CB Eric Rowe (groin)
WR Matthew Slater (hamstring)
While Danny Amendola, Martellus Bennett, Malcom Brown and Eric Rowe were limited last week as well, Slater is a new addition to the list – and that is a good sign, since he was an absentee since injuring his hamstring in week 10 against the Denver Broncos. Defensive tackle Alan Branch, who was limited with a neck injury last week has been removed from the list.
For comparison, the Miami Dolphins' injury report looks as follows:
Did not participate
LB Stephone Anthony (quadriceps)
OG Jermon Bushrod (foot)
QB Jay Cutler (concussion)
DE William Hayes (back)
OT Laremy Tunsil (illness)
The biggest name on the list, obviously, is quarterback Jay Cutler who has been placed in the concussion protocol. It would not be a surprise to see him miss Sunday's game and Matt Moore as the starter replacing him.
Full Participation
RB Senorise Perry (knee)
FS Michael Thomas (knee)