Patriots
Trent Brown, Jonathan Jones, and Sidy Sow are all new additions to the Patriots’ damage report this week.
-
Tyreek Hill vows to ‘dominate’ Patriots, even when they throw double protection at him
-
The Patriots’ opener was one thing to construct on, however it doesn’t get simpler Sunday evening in opposition to the Dolphins
The Patriots’ banged-up offensive line nonetheless appears to be on the mend, in line with Friday’s damage report.
Whereas New England didn’t rule any gamers out in opposition to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday evening, six people had been listed as “questionable”. Deal with Trent Brown (concussion), guards Mike Onwenu (ankle), Sidy Sow (concussion), and Cole Unusual (knee) are nonetheless unsure to go well with up within the group’s first divisional recreation of 2023-24.
Nook again Jonathan Jones (ankle), a Thursday addition to the damage report, and receiver DeVante Parker (knee) will even be game-time choices come 8:20 p.m. on Sunday.
David Andrews (hamstring) and Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), who had been each restricted apply contributors on Wednesday and Thursday, had been faraway from the damage report Friday.
It appears unlikely that Brown and Sow will go well with up versus Miami contemplating they’re each newly in concussion protocol. All New England gamers coping with concussions final season didn’t play within the first recreation following their analysis.
Whereas the Patriots’ offensive line allowed simply two sacks versus a robust Eagles defensive position in week one, going into this recreation with out Brown and Sow can be an enormous blow. The 2 linemen performed each offensive snap in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Deal with Calvin Anderson additionally performed all offensive snaps for the Patriots final week and should have his work minimize out for him as soon as once more in opposition to Miami, particularly if Brown and Sow are no-goes. The identical goes for rookie guard Atonio Mafi. He might proceed to take the locations of Onwenu and Unusual for a second consecutive week.
New England acquired two tackles on the finish of August, Vederian Lowe and Tyrone Wheatly Jr. Neither have but to play a snap for the Patriots, however that would change on Sunday if the group stays with out 4 linemen.
As for J. Jones’s current look on the damage report, the Patriots being with out one among their beginning cornerbacks in opposition to the Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill would make issues tough for New England’s secondary. The explosive large receiver torched the Los Angeles Chargers protection for 11 catches, 215 yards, and two touchdowns in week one.
The Patriots’ protection might have stored the Eagles’ weapons at bay final week. Nevertheless, that effort was aided by the presence of a wholesome J. Jones alongside rookie Christian Gonzalez. Hill and Jaylen Waddle are additionally a tall process that could possibly be much more tough to deal with with out one among New England’s beginning corners.
As for the Patriots’ weapons, the group in all probability might have used Parker on the sector in week one. JuJu Smith-Schuster didn’t play a giant function and dedicated a drop. New England relied closely on rookies Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte to help Kendrick Bourne, which isn’t essentially a really perfect state of affairs for any group regardless of the gamers’ week one flashes.
Bourne did rating two touchdowns and tight finish Hunter Henry had one among his personal. Regardless, a wholesome Parker might assist unfold the wealth and provides Mac Jones extra choices.
Miami is coming off of a win that featured three passing touchdowns and almost 500 yards from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. This efficiency got here in opposition to a Chargers protection that’s anticipated to be dominant that includes the likes of Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, J.C. Jackson, Asante Samuel Jr., and Derwin James.
Kickoff for the Patriots and Dolphins is about for 8:20 p.m. EST on Sunday evening.
Join Patriots updates
Get breaking information and evaluation delivered to your inbox throughout soccer season.