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The New England Patriots play the Green Bay Packers in prime time and the Packers are much, much healthier. The Patriots removed punter Ryan Allen (left ankle) from the injury report, but there are still 13 players questionable and two 2 players declared OUT.
As for the Packers, they have just four players with their availability in question, with OT Bryan Bulaga (knee), TE Jimmy Graham (knee), WR Equanimeous St. Brown (knee), OL Corey Linsley (knee) all considered likely to be available.
Here’s the report from Friday.
OUT
Patriots: OG Shaq Mason (calf), OL Brian Schwenke (foot)
The Patriots will be without starting right guard Shaq Mason and will rely on back-up Ted Karras to hold down the fort.
DOUBTFUL
Packers: WR Geronimo Allison (hamstring)
Allison is a depth receiver for the Packers.
QUESTIONABLE
Patriots: OT Trent Brown (ankle), OT Marcus Cannon (concussion), LS Joe Cardona (shoulder), WR Josh Gordon (hamstring), DE Geneo Grissom (ankle), LB Dont’a Hightower (knee), RB Sony Michel (knee), DE John Simon (shoulder), WR Julian Edelman (ankle), TE Jacob Hollister (hamstring), LB Nicholas Grigsby (illness), TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle/back), WR Cordarrelle Patterson (neck)
Packers: WR Randall Cobb (hamstring), LB Nick Perry (ankle), S Jermaine Whitehead (back)
Cobb and Perry are both important players for the Packers, but it’s clear that the Patriots offense is much more afflicted by the injury bug. The Patriots could honestly field an offensive line-up with their starting two tackles, top two receivers, top two tight ends, top running back, and top flex player (Patterson).
And then defensive leader Dont’a Hightower is also injured.
All of these players should be in the “game-time decision” bucket, unless the Patriots declare Cannon and Hollister out with their injuries, like they have in recent weeks.