Week 1 Patriots vs Chiefs: Tuesday injury report; OT Cameron Fleming returns to practice

In only two day, the New England Patriots and the visiting Kansas City Chiefs will kick off the 2017 NFL season. Yesterday, the Patriots released their first injury report of the week and listed seven players as either non-participants or limited in practice. Earlier today, the team published its newest practice report.

Let's take a look at it:

Did not participate

DT Vincent Valentine (knee)

Valentine missed yesterday's session as well and highly likely will not suit up on Thursday. While he was solid during his 2016 rookie campaign, his potential loss would only marginally hurt the Patriots. After all, led by Alan Branch and Malcom Brown, the team has a formidable defensive tackle depth chart outside of Valentine.

Limited participation

DT Adam Butler (knee)

SS Nate Ebner (shoulder)

OT Cameron Fleming (ankle)

LB Harvey Langi (concussion)

WR Malcolm Mitchell (knee)

WR Matthew Slater (hamstring)

The lone change when compared to yesterday's injury report concerns backup offensive tackle Cameron Fleming. The 25-year old was absent yesterday due to an ankle injury but was back on the practice fields today, albeit in limited fashion. With LaAdrian Waddle and Cole Croston able to back up the starting tackle duo, it would not be a surprise to see Fleming deactivated on Thursday.

The rest of the limited participants project to be game day decisions. Particularly Nate Ebner and Matthew Slater are worth keeping an eye on giving the high quality of the Chiefs' special teams units. Losing two of their best kicking game players would therefore certainly be a blow to New England.

As opposed to the Patriots' injury report, the Chiefs' did not change since yesterday:

Limited participation

OG Parker Ehinger (knee)

TE Travis Kelce (calf)

FS Ron Parker (ankle)

LB Reggie Ragland (knee)

Full participation

DT Bennie Logan (knee)

CB Terrance Mitchell (hamstring)

K Cairo Santos (groin)