Connolly, Wright, Brace do not practice. TBC returns.

[Mack Herron]

Dan Connolly, Mike Wright and Ron Brace lone players not spotted at start of practice. Tully Banta-Cain (flu) returns, Mike Rodak reports.

Not IR'd leaves the possibility of returning, but with the uncertainty surrounding recovery from concussions, the availability of Wright and Connolly for the playoffs is unclear.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Is Brace recovered from his concussion? I saw yesterday he was limited because of a knee or elbow but no mention of concussion.

At least Pryor is practicing again(probably will still be limited) but that's a good sign for the playoffs.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Is Brace recovered from his concussion? I saw yesterday he was limited because of a knee or elbow but no mention of concussion.

At least Pryor is practicing again(probably will still be limited) but that's a good sign for the playoffs.

Brace was cleared to play. The elbow injury is new and came from the BUF game.

 

[jmt57]

Earlier this week Belichick had this to say in regards to the question about resting players once the playoff seed had been clinched, and what he might be inclined to do in terms of playing time Sunday against the Dolphins:

It Is What It Is - Bits from Bill Belichick

“I think it’ll be like it is every week in that the decisions in what we do as a football team this week will be what we feel is in the best interest of the football team. And there are a lot of things that would go on in that conversation — there are a lot of things we’ll take into consideration. Certainly, what’s good for the overall benefit of the team, but there are some players with individual situations who are a little different than other guys. The long answer to that what should be a short question is that we’ll do what’s best for the football team individually and collectively, and we’ll make those decisions this week.”

My guess is that what part of that means is that players such as Wright, Connolly and Brace are most likely not going to play. While other coaches would think first of resting their key starters, I'm guessing Belichick would think first of keeping players out who would benefit the most from having an extra week to heal from an injury.

 

[Brady2Welker]

Is Mike Wright having a new head surgically implanted?

 

[juny]

Well according to this:
Revisiting DL Wright & injury status - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Wright suffered a KO blow during the Colts game. But since they haven't IR'ed him yet, there is some hope he will return this year.

 

[Mack Herron]

Revisiting DL Wright & injury status - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Wright's status looks like a case of not being able to project a timeframe for how a player will respond from a serious concussion.

"I don’t want this to sound bad or anything like that because Mike knows I love him, but his injury is something that I don’t know is really predictable," defensive line coach Pepper Johnson said today when asked if he expects Wright back by the playoffs.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Brace was cleared to play. The elbow injury is new and came from the BUF game.

Ahhh ok thanks. Looks like Brace and Pryor should be good to go in a couple weeks. Wright who the heck knows but I feel better on the DL if the other 2 are back. Would be a nice bonus to get Wright too though. Connolly we probably won't have a clue about for 2 weeks either :/

 

[*ChungFu*]

Well according to this:
Revisiting DL Wright & injury status - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Wright suffered a KO blow during the Colts game. But since they haven't IR'ed him yet, there is some hope he will return this year.

Has he woken up yet? I haven't even heard that he's been seen.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I love these jokes about Wright. For all we know, the guy was probably puking for 3 days, getting zero sleep and has been walking around in a fog for a month now.

What we do know is that the league is not messing around with concussions and I'm willing to bet he has something between a grade 2 or grade 3.

 

[SanAngeloState]

I don't know why they don't just IR him then. He's going to be awfully rusty. Plus they probably don't want to take a chance on him getting reinjured. I'm worried about his career at this point.

 

[Froob]

The sad part is Wright still leads the team in sacks despite missing all these games.

 

[BTTA]

I'm worried about his career at this point.

Me, too. I feel the same way as when a player is lying still on the carpet after a big hit - just show me some movement so I know you can have something like a normal life again. The football part is insignificant. I just want to know that he's not going to have serious post-football problems at this point. If he actually comes back to play football at some point, that's icing.

 

[crowell33]

The sad part is Wright still leads the team in sacks despite missing all these games.

Concerned about Wright. This would be the sixth straight week out with a head injury. Thats pretty rare, hope the guys going to be OK.

 

[larryo]

Very concerned at this point. I hope the guy is ok.

Did he play after this devastating block on the return? Focus on 72 in white at about the 20 second mark.

NFL Videos: Patriots defense, INT

 

[oldrover]

The concussion victims throughout the NFL are returning slowly, because they must be cleared by independent physicians. Maybe that's the case here. He can't get cleared.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The concussion victims throughout the NFL are returning slowly, because they must be cleared by independent physicians. Maybe that's the case here. He can't get cleared.

Yep. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if he suffered it vs Pitt, played through it, kept his mouth shut and with a good wack on the head vs Indy, caused him to occur another one.

These guys are trained to play through "dings", "stingers" and are told to "shake the cobwebs off". I'm sure the Pats didn't force him to play, but the last thing these guys want to do is let their teammates down or more importantly lose their jobs and livelihood.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Signs of progress from Connolly - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Offensive lineman Dan Connolly, who has been sidelined since sustaining a concussion Dec. 19 against the Packers, came on to the field for pre-game jogging this morning.

Connolly is listed as doubtful for today's finale against the Dolphins, making him unlikely to play, but his presence on the field is a positive sign for the Patriots from a longer-term perspective. It strengthens the possibility that he will be ready for the playoff opener on the weekend of Jan. 15-16.

Looks like Connolly could be ready for the play-offs.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

The concussion victims throughout the NFL are returning slowly, because they must be cleared by independent physicians. Maybe that's the case here. He can't get cleared.

But then, I don't think he was spotted with the players or @ the grounds/practice area, right?

At this point I care a damn about his career; more concerned about his health.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Signs of progress from Connolly - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Offensive lineman Dan Connolly, who has been sidelined since sustaining a concussion Dec. 19 against the Packers, came on to the field for pre-game jogging this morning.

Connolly is listed as doubtful for today's finale against the Dolphins, making him unlikely to play, but his presence on the field is a positive sign for the Patriots from a longer-term perspective. It strengthens the possibility that he will be ready for the playoff opener on the weekend of Jan. 15-16.

Looks like Connolly could be ready for the play-offs.

Given this observation, Wright's continued absence from the Patriots facilities is troubling.