Patriots at Panthers Week 11 Injury Reports, News and Updates

[jmt57]

Week 11: Thursday practice peek -- only Gregory missing - Extra Points - Boston.com

Since they play on Monday this week, New England will practice Thursday, Friday and Saturday, departing for Charlotte on Sunday.​

Steve Gregory remains only player missing from practice | The Blitz with Jeff Howe & Karen Guregian | Boston Herald

Gregory was the only member of the Patriots who missed today's workout, which was held in full pads. Running back Shane Vereen was again present, while Armond Armstead and Mark Harrison have not been cleared to practice, which is still no surprise.​

Patriots safety Steve Gregory still absent from practice - espnBoston

Thursday marked the team's second day of practice after returning from a bye weekend. The team's first injury report of the week will be released later Thursday afternoon.

Cornerback Aqib Talib (hip) and running back Shane Vereen (wrist) continue to practice, though it remains unclear if either will play Monday night against Carolina. Vereen has not been activated to the 53-man roster, though he is eligible to play Monday for the first time since Week 1. Talib, meanwhile, has missed three straight games due to a hip injury.

Defensive lineman Armond Armstead, currently on the non-football illness list, also did not practice. If he does not begin practicing by the end of this week, he will be placed on injured reserve.​

It Is What It Is » Patriots practice Thursday: Steve Gregory only absentee, Shane Vereen 'gradually' increases workload

Running back Shane Vereen was again on the field Thursday as the Patriots test his readiness to return from a broken wrist suffered in the season opener against the Bills on Sept. 8.

“It’s good to have him back on the field,” coach Bill Belichick said Thursday before practice. “This will really be an opportunity for us to evaluate this week kind of where he is, give him some harder assignments and see how he’s doing. He’s been able to be active and participate but I’d say it will be a higher level competition for him this week on the practice field. As it should be, gradually escalate the intensity of it and see how it goes.”​

New England Patriots practice report: S Steve Gregory the only man missing | masslive.com

Gregory was knocked out of action against the Pittsburgh Steelers and reportedly suffered a broken thumb. Some reports have indicated that it’s possible he plays Monday night against the Carolina Panthers, but his absence from practice does not bode well for his ability to play.

Running back Shane Vereen, who is eligible to return from injured reserve this week, and cornerback Aqib Talib, who has been out of action since Week 6 with a hip injury, were in attendance.

Defensive tackle Armond Armstead and wide receiver Mark Harrison did not practice. Both players need to return this week or they will be lost for the season.​

 

[jmt57]

Here is a Panthers update:

Inside the Panthers: Tolbert takes a daddy day, Gross takes veteran day off from practice

Linebacker Chase Blackburn (foot), tight end Ben Hartsock (knee) and guard Chris Scott (knee) did not participate in practice. Blackburn has struggled with the foot injury for two weeks, and he played seven special teams snaps Sunday against San Francisco before re-aggravating the injury.

"Saturday will be the big day because we get the extra day," Rivera said of Blackburn's availability for Monday night's game against New England. "Hopefully we’ll see him out there."

Defensive tackle Dwan Edwards was limited in practice as the veteran is still taking it easy with a hamstring injury that sidelined him for more than a month earlier this year. Rivera said Edwards took the reps he was supposed to Thursday.



​

Carolina just signed LB Dan Connor, possibly due in part to Blackburn's injury; they also waived DT Sione Fua.

Inside the Panthers: Dan Connor returning to Panthers

Connor, who started 19 games for the Panthers from 2008-11, signed with the Giants in March after playing the 2012 season with Dallas.
Connor, who started eight games last season in Dallas, worked out for the Panthers on Tuesday.

It's unclear what Connor's signing means for the team's linebacking corps. Veteran Chase Blackburn left Sunday's game at San Francisco with a foot injury, although Riverasaid earlier this week that Blackburn would not require surgery.

Rookie A.J. Klein played well against the 49ers in Blackburn's spot.

The Panthers also have a roster spot to fill after waiving lineman Sione Fua, who last week moved from defensive tackle to offensive line. Rivera indicated the Panthers planned to sign an offensive lineman to replace Fua.
​

Inside the Panthers: Swap of linebackers a win-win for Panthers, Giants

Connor's signing completed what amounted to a "trade" of linebackers between the Giants and Panthers, whose first-year general manager Dave Gettleman spent more than a decade in the Giants' pro personnel department.

The Panthers basically exchanged Jon Beason for Connor, outside backer Chase Blackburn and a conditional, late-round pick next year.

To this point, it would appear -- based on the way Beason has played and galvanized the Giants' defense -- that New York got the better end of the deal.

But the fact is there was no place for Beason in Carolina following the emergence of Luke Kuechly, who is on a short list of the best middle linebackers in the league. Beason looked out of place at outside linebacker earlier this season, and was not pleased with his diminished role and playing time.

In Connor, the Panthers have a veteran who knows the organization and the defense, and will provide needed depth while Blackburn recovers from a foot injury.
​

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Sign Fua NOW!!!

Our new Team Captain!

 

[Jase]

Yes, take fua, please! The man has been like herpes, he keeps coming back.

You can have all of his strategic secrets.

 

[jmt57]

Steve Gregory misses another practice, likely yielding Duron Harmon's first start | Boston Herald

Safety Steve Gregory missed his fourth consecutive practice with a broken thumb, paving the way for rookie Duron Harmon to make his first career start against the Panthers.

Gregory has missed all three sessions this week, which essentially means he won't be playing. Thumb injuries are tricky, as some allow players to play with a bulky hard cast while others result in extended absences.

Because Gregory isn't even working on his conditioning during practice, it's an obvious sign that he's not in the team's game plan this week.

Harmon has played well this season, and the Patriots have given him opportunities to get on the field in sub packages as a reward for his efforts. He's been praised as a smart player since joining the veterans in the offseason, and he has intercepted a pass in the last two games, though they've really been of the fair-catch variety.

The Pats were in shells. They practice for the final time tomorrow.
​

 

[jmt57]

Yes, take fua, please! The man has been like herpes, he keeps coming back.

You can have all of his strategic secrets.

It's an inside joke .... Rex Ryan has a history of signing former Patriot players just before a Jets-Pats game, and making them captain for that game.

 

[BlueThunder]

It's an inside joke .... Rex Ryan has a history of signing former Patriot players just before a Jets-Pats game, and making them captain for that game.

Wonder if Nelson gets Team Captain for Jets/Bills game ?

 

[Uncle Rico]

Thanks for the reports.

Saw an interesting tidbit from someone on Twitter this week: Any limitations to Vereen's participation don't have to be reported yet because he's not actually on the 53-man yet. Hadn't thought of that. For allw e (or the Panthers) know, he may be full or limited.

)I've been busy at work this week and a bit off grid, so apologies if this has been noted already).

 

[Uncle Rico]

No sign of Dennard at start of practice today.

Field Yates ‏@FieldYates 13m
Per beat colleagues down in Foxborough, CB Alfonzo Dennard joins S Steve Gregory among practice absences. Dennard is dealing w/knee injury.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I'm confused. Reading now that NFI boys Armistead & Harrison have until end of NEXT week to begin practice before being sent to IR oblivion.

 

[PATRlOT]

Unbelievable. Now Dennard is hurt. This season is an absolute joke with all these injuries.

PS: Let's sign Asomugha

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Unbelievable. Now Dennard is hurt. This season is an absolute joke with all these injuries.

PS: Let's sign Asomugha

Bad news: there's a good chance he won't play.

Good news: he doesn't have to play tomorrow.

As long as the secondary isn't -Talib -Dennard, I can live with it.

 

[jmt57]

Patriots at Panthers Week 11 Injury Reports - Friday Nov 15

Playing a little bit of catch-up here; first, here's Friday's info:

It Is What It Is » Friday Patriots injury report: Rob Gronkowski, Aqib Talib among six limited

Did Not Participate
S Steve Gregory (finger)

Limited Participation
CB Kyle Arrington (groin)
RB Brandon Bolden (knee)
CB Alfonzo Dennard (knee)
TE Rob Gronkowski ((back/forearm/hamstring)
CB Aqib Talib (hip)
RB Leon Washington (ankle)

Full Participation
WR Danny Amendola (groin)
QB Tom Brady (right shoulder)
WR Matthew Slater (wrist)​

Patriots - Panthers Injury Report

CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-3) - Friday Nov 15
[B]Out[/B]
Player [COLOR="White"].......[/COLOR]	Pos.	Injury
No Players Listed
 
[B]Did Not Participate[/B]
Player [COLOR="White"].......[/COLOR]	Pos	Injury
Chase Blackburn	LB	Foot
Ben Hartsock	TE	Knee
Chris Scott	G	Knee
 
[B]Limited Participation[/B]
Player	Pos	Injury
No Players Listed
 
[B]Full Participation[/B]
Player [COLOR="White"].......[/COLOR]	Pos	Injury
Dwan Edwards	DT	Hamstring
Jordan Gross	T	Not Injury Related
Mike Tolbert	FB	Not Injury Related

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (7-2) - Friday Nov 15
[B]Out[/B]
Player	Pos	Injury
No Players Listed
 
[B]Did Not Participate[/B]
Player [COLOR="White"].......[/COLOR]	Pos	Injury
Steve Gregory	S	Finger
 
[B]Limited Participation[/B]
Player [COLOR="White"].......[/COLOR]	Pos	Injury
Kyle Arrington	CB	Groin
Brandon Bolden	RB	Knee
Alfonzo Dennard	CB	Knee
Gronkowski	TE	Back/Forearm/Hamstring
Aqib Talib	CB	Hip
Leon Washington	RB	Ankle
 
[B]Full Participation[/B]
Player [COLOR="White"].......[/COLOR]	Pos	Injury
Danny Amendola	WR	Groin
Tom Brady	QB	Right Shoulder
Matthew Slater	WR	Wrist

 

[jmt57]

Patriots at Panthers Week 11 Injury Reports - Sat Nov 16

Alfonzo Dennard Missing From Patriots Practice, Putting Status for Panthers Game in Doubt | New England Patriots | NESN.com

After Steve Gregory was the lone Patriots player missing from practice all week, there was a surprise absence on Saturday.

Alfonzo Dennard was not out on the practice field. He’s been dealing with a knee injury and has been limited in practice this week. Gregory has a broken thumb.

Armond Armstead and Mark Harrison were also not on the practice field, which effectively ends their season since their clock for coming off the non-football injury/illness had to start by Week 11.

The Patriots’ roster still stands at 52 players, which means it’s likely Shane Vereen will be activated off short-term injured reserve against the Panthers on Monday night. Vereen has been out since Week 1 with a broken wrist.​

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Reiss' take on the inactives…

Projecting the New England Patriots' inactives - ESPN Boston

 

[SVN]

Jeff Howe ‏@jeffphowe 6m
Alfonzo Dennard is "out" for Monday night against the Panthers, according to a source.

 

[jmt57]

Slightly conflicting opinions on Aqib Talib.


Source: Alfonzo Dennard is "out" for Monday night with knee injury | The Blitz with Jeff Howe & Karen Guregian | Boston Herald

Cornerback Alfonzo Dennard will miss his first game of the regular season Monday against the Panthers.

Dennard is "out" with a knee injury, according to a source. He missed his first practice of the regular season today, two days after the knee first appeared on the injury report.

All signs point toward Aqib Talib being ready to return after missing three games with a hip injury, and Kyle Arrington and Logan Ryan will fill the second and third spots on the depth chart in Dennard's absence.​

Source: Alfonzo Dennard not expected to play against Carolina Panthers | masslive.com

Alfonzo Dennard is not expected to play Monday night against the Carolina Panthers.

The New England Patriots cornerback did not participate in practice Friday and will most likely be held out of action against the Panthers, according to a source.

Dennard had been limited in practice throughout the week with a knee injury.

The Patriots secondary will also likely be without safety Steve Gregory, who suffered a broken thumb against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rookie Duron Harmon is expected to start in his place.

It is not yet known if cornerback Aqib Talib, who has been out with a hip injury since Week 6, will make his return against the Panthers.​

 

[patsinthesnow]

Arrington
Ryan
Cole
Edelman (dime back)
McCourty
Harmon

It may be the return of 2011 nightmares Monday Night....

 

[jmt57]

Arrington
Ryan
Cole
Edelman (dime back)
McCourty
Harmon

It may be the return of 2011 nightmares Monday Night....

I am guessing that they would put Wilson or Ebner in the backfield before Edelman.

Not that there is any solace in that thought....




Even with the injuries in the secondary, I am still more concerned with the Carolina running game versus a Pats defense that is without Vince Wilfork, Tommy Kelly and Jerod Mayo than I am with a Carolina receiving corps of 34-year old Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn and Greg Olsen.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Might not mean anything, but:

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyedNESN 1h
I haven't seen Dennard in the locker room, but he does have a full bag packed for Carolina already.