The New England Patriots began preparations for the Los Angeles Chargers without linebacker Anfernee Jennings.
The Alabama product did not participate in Wednesday’s practice due to an illness.
An additional 11 members of New England’s active roster were limited, including quarterback Cam Newton, while the window opened for rookie tight end Dalton Keene to be activated from injured reserve.
Here’s the first injury report heading into Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff at SoFi Stadium.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
- Patriots: LB Anfernee Jennings (illness)
- Chargers: WR Mike Williams (not injury related), WR Joe Reed (ribs), DE Joey Bosa (shin), LB Denzel Perryman (back), CB Chris Harris Jr. (foot), CB Casey Hayward Jr. (groin)
Jennings has checked in for all but one game since arriving in New England at pick No. 87 overall in April. The rookie linebacker played 14 snaps on defense, nine snaps on special teams and a part in a punt-return collision versus the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday.
Multiple Chargers starters sat out practice on Wednesday. And at defensive end, so did Bosa, who registered a trio of sacks and a fumble recovery against the Buffalo Bills in Week 12. It is a shin injury for the former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and reigning Pro Bowler.
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
- Patriots: QB Cam Newton (abdomen), RB J.J. Taylor (quadricep), WR Matthew Slater (knee), TE Ryan Izzo (hamstring/hand), G Shaq Mason (calf), DT Adam Butler (shoulder), DT Byron Cowart (back), LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (groin), CB J.C. Jackson (hip), S Kyle Dugger (toe), K Nick Folk (back)
- Chargers: RB Kalen Ballage (ankle), OT Bryan Bulaga (illness), G Trai Turner (ankle), DE Uchenna Nwosu (chest), P Ty Long (hip)
An abdomen issue left Newton listed as limited for the Patriots on Wednesday. It marked the first time the quarterback had appeared on the report this season. Across the ball at cornerback, Jackson also practiced in a partial capacity after suffering a hip injury during New England’s 20-17 win over Arizona. Jackson saw 84 percent of the defensive downs.
A pair along the Los Angeles offensive line were limited to begin the week, with Bulaga managing an illness and Turner managing an ankle ailment.