FOXBOROUGH – With their bye week coming up, the Patriots are hurting. That’s been seen the last two weeks when the team placed defensive tackle Milton Williams and left tackle Will Campbell on the injured reserve.
And it was seen on Friday as the Patriots were missing multiple starters in their second practice of the week.
With one more practice on the books before their Monday night game against the New York Giants, the Patriots were missing edge rusher Harold Landry (knee), left guard Jared Wilson (ankle), defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (chest), special teamer Brenden Schooler (ankle), and linebacker Jahlani Tavai (personal reasons) on Friday.
Right tackle Morgan Moses (illness) and tight end CJ Dippre (back) returned to practice after being listed on the team’s first injury report as ‘did not participate.’
With the latest bye week in the NFL, the Patriots’ depth has been and will continue to be tested this season.
That’ll be the case for the offensive line without Campbell and Wilson. They’ll start Vederian Lowe at left tackle and Ben Brown at left guard. That’s why it was important to see Moses return to practice on Friday. On Wednesday, when Moses was absent, rookie Marcus Bryant filled in at right tackle.
Losing Williams left a mark on their defensive line. In Cincinnati, the team lost Tonga, who suffered a chest injury. If he can’t play on Monday, the team will rely more on backups Corey Durden, Eric Gregory, and Jeremiah Pharms, who’s on the practice squad.
It’ll also be a blow to the Patriots’ defensive line if Landry can’t play. The veteran is tied with K’Lavon Chaisson for the team lead in sacks with 6.5.
If Landry can’t play on Monday, it’ll move rookie Elijah Ponder and veteran Anfernee Jennings up the depth chart. The Patriots also have Bradyn Swinson and Caleb Murphy on the roster.
Patriots injury report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
LB Harold Landry, Knee
S Brenden Schooler, Ankle
LB Jahlani Tavai, Not Injury Related / Personal
DT Khyiris Tonga, Chest
G Jared Wilson, Ankle
FULL PARTICIPATION
DT Christian Barmore – Not Injury Related / Other
LB K’Lavon Chaisson, Ankle
TE C.J. Dippre, Back
T Morgan Moses, Illness
TE Hunter Henry, Toe
