The first practice participation and injury report of Week Seventeen of the 2021 NFL season provided both questions and concern for the New England Patriots, as they prepare to host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, January 2 at 1:00pm from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
There are plenty of storylines heading into this contest on Sunday, many of which surround the health of some key players.
Here is Wednesday’s full report:
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
WR Nelson Agholor, Concussion
S Joshuah Bledsoe, Calf
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
C David Andrews, Shoulder
DL Christian Barmore, Knee
RB Brandon Bolden, Knee
K Nick Folk, Left Knee
RB Damien Harris, Hamstring
WR N'Keal Harry, Hip
LB Dont'a Hightower, Knee
CB J.C. Jackson, Elbow
WR Jakobi Meyers, Thigh
S Adrian Phillips, Knee
FULL AVAILABILITY
No Players Listed.
Perhaps the most impactful news from Patriots practice on Wednesday pertained to presence, as opposed to absence. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and linebacker Harvey Langi were present for the medial portion of practice, indicating a return from COVID/Reserve. For Langi, it also indicates his imminent return from Injured Reserve.
Wide receiver Nelson Agholor was a non-participant, as he remains in concussion protocol after suffering a head injury during the Pats Week Fifteen matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.
Safety Joshuah Bledsoe was also absent from Wednesday's practice, listed with a calf injury. Bledsoe might be a potential candidate to be placed on injured reserve, to accommodate for Langi’s return to the 53-man roster.
Linebackers Matthew Judon, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Brandon King, Josh Uche, quarterback Brian Hoyer and defensive end Deatrich Wise all remain on the COVID-19/Reserve list.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
TE James O'Shaughnessy, Hip
T Will Richardson, Finger
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
LB Allen Dakota, Shoulder
FULL AVAILABILITY
No Players Listed.
The Jaguars may potentially enter this matchup a bit thin at tight end. With Jacob Hollister currently on COVID-19/Reserve, James O'Shaughnessy was absent from practice with a hip injury. Recently, the team signed Kahale Warring to their 53-man roster. Like both Hollister and O’Shaughnessy, Warring also has a history with the Patriots. The San Diego State product had a very brief stint with the Pats during 2021 training camp.
Reserve offensive lineman Will Richardson (who typically aligns on the right side) did not participate in practice, with an injury to his finger.
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