Patriots Downgrade Five Players to "Out"
The New England Patriots have downgraded five players to "Out" for their Monday night game against the Miami Dolphins.
The five players are wide receiver Taylor Price, right tackle Sebastian Vollmer, offensive lineman Ryan Wendell, linebacker Jermaine Cunningham and Jeff Tarpinian. All five had been listed as "Questionable" on Saturday's team injury report.
Here is New England's injury report as it stands now-
Out: LB Jermaine Cunningham (groin), WR Taylor Price (hamstring), LB Jeff Tarpinian (knee), OT Sebastian Vollmer (back), OL Ryan Wendell (calf)
Questionable: DE Mark Anderson (knee), CB Kyle Arrington (hip), G Dan Connolly (foot), LB Dane Fletcher (thumb), DT Albert Haynesworth (illness), DL Myron Pryor (groin), RB Stevan Ridley (ankle), RB Shane Vereen (hamstring)
Analysis: While I am pleased to see defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth could still play on Monday, the right side of the Patriots offensive line concerns me. Newly signed guard Brian Waters has only been with the team for a couple weeks and now three-year starting right tackle Sebastian Vollmer is out with a back injury.
With Vollmer sidelined, rookie tackle Nate Solder will be making his NFL debut. The Dolphins Cameron Wake is certainly salivating at the chance to put Tom Brady on his back throughout the game. How the Patriots offensive line adapts to these changes could be crucial in the outcome of the game.
My thoughts and score prediction will be posted tomorrow morning. Also, if you have a Twitter account? Be sure to follow me: @PatriotsHaven!
