Injury update: Patriots RT LaAdrian Waddle has “minor” ankle sprain, LB Kyle Van Noy injury is not “long-term concern”

The New England Patriots are already thin at offensive tackle with RT Marcus Cannon sidelined with an ankle injury and his replacement LaAdrian Waddle suffered an ankle injury of his own on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

Waddle could join Cannon on the sideline for the upcoming week if the initial reports from NESN’s Doug Kyed and the Herald’s Jeff Howe hold true.

“Patriots top reserve offensive tackle LaAdrian Waddle's ankle injury is considered ‘fairly minor,’ per source,” Kyed tweeted. “The hope is he won't miss much time.”

Howe provided the timetable.

“LaAdrian Waddle suffered a low-ankle sprain yesterday and the hope is that he only misses a week, according to a source,” Howe tweeted. “Could be a slightly longer absence depending how the ankle responds in the coming days.”

Cannon didn’t practice last week and if Waddle doesn’t practice this week, New England could be looking at Cameron Fleming to start in Waddle’s place with rookie Cole Croston as the only depth. Add in the illness for center David Andrews, who also did not practice last week, and the depth on the offensive line is in trouble.

If Andrews returns to the field, then the Patriots would like ask Joe Thuney to be the back-up tackle and for Ted Karras to step in at guard if a tackle were to suffer an injury. But if Andrews, Cannon, and Waddle are unable to play, then the Patriots could look to promote a player from the practice squad.

Kyed also provided an update for LB Kyle Van Noy, who suffered a lower leg injury on Sunday, too.

“On Patriots LB Kyle Van Noy's leg injury, a source told me it's not thought to be a long-term concern,” Kyed tweeted.

Van Noy has quickly become one of the most important players on the Patriots and his availability for next Sunday’s game against the potent Buffalo Bills rushing offense is incredibly important. If Van Noy can’t play, then the Patriots will be down to Elandon Roberts, David Harris, and Marquis Flowers at linebacker, especially if Trevor Reilly is in the concussion protocol.