Patriots Week 17 injury report

[JMC00]

All but Boyce & McCourty were present today.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Maybe we can limp by the bills if mccourty is out. Hope the concussion isn't to serious.

 

[jmt57]

Thursday Injury Report News for Buffalo:

DID NOT PRACTICE
RB Fred Jackson (ribs)
S Aaron Williams (ribs)
WR Stevie Johnson (personal)
DT Kyle Williams (Achilles)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION
QB EJ Manuel (knee)
WR Marquise Goodwin (knee)

FULL PARTICIPATION
QB Thad Lewis (left shoulder)



Bills "close" to ruling out Aaron Williams for Sunday | WGR550

An up-and-coming defensive player on the Buffalo Bills roster may have to watch the season end with him on the sidelines. Following Thursday's practice, head coach Doug Marrone didn't officially rule out third-year safety Aaron Williams for Sunday, but he said it's getting there.

Williams was once again a non-participant in practice after injuring his ribs in the fourth quarter of the Bills' Week 15 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The safety has 82 tackles and four interceptions on the season.

He and wide receiver Stevie Johnson were the only two players not to practice in any capacity on Thursday. Johnson remains in California after the sudden passing of his mother, to which Marrone said there hasn't been any further correspondence. The wideout is likely to miss the team's game in New England this weekend.

Running back Fred Jackson was limited after getting a rest day on Tuesday for his injury to his ribs. Jackson is expected to play for the Bills this weekend, however.

Rounding out the injury report, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (knee), quarterback Thad Lewis (left shoulder) and defensive lineman Kyle Williams (Achilles) all practiced in full. The trio are all expected to be available for the team's game against the Patriots.
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EJ Manuel injury update | ESPN

The Buffalo Bills listed quarterback EJ Manuel (knee) as limited in practice on their projected injury report Wednesday.

The Bills did not practice Wednesday but will return to the field Thursday.

Manuel, who sat out Sunday's win over the Miami Dolphins with a knee sprain, was on the practice field Tuesday. Coach Doug Marrone later said that Manuel's knee would be re-evaluated by Thursday.

If Manuel cannot play in Sunday's regular season finale against the New England Patriots, Thad Lewis is expected to make his second consecutive start. The Bills listed Lewis as having a left shoulder injury Wednesday, but said he would had fully participated if the Bills practiced.



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Patriots Injury Updates as of Thursday:

Did Not Practice
WR Josh Boyce (ankle)
S Devin McCourty (concussion)

Limited Participation
CB Kyle Arrington (groin)
OT Marcus Cannon (ankle)
CB Alfonzo Dennard (knee/shoulder)
WR Aaron Dobson (foot)
LB Dane Fletcher (groin)
S Steve Gregory (finger/knee)
DL Rob Ninkovhich (ankle)
OT Nate Solder (concussion)
LB Brandon Spikes (knee)
OT Will Svitek (ankle)
WR Kenbrell Thompkins (hip)
RB Shane Vereen (groin)

Full Participation
WR Danny Amendola (groin)
QB Tom Brady (right shoulder)
TE Michael Hoomanawanui


New England Patriots Injury Report Update: Rob Ninkovich limited with ankle injury | MassLive.com

Rob Ninkovich was limited during Thursday's practice due to an ankle injury.

It is not known when the issue sprung up, but the defensive end was not listed on Wednesday's simulated practice report. The last time the New England Patriots practiced was on Tuesday, but the team was not required to issue a practice report.
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Patriots Thursday Injury Report: Rob Ninkovich (ankle) Added To Report | WEEI.com

Meanwhile safety Steve Gregory (finger/knee) and running back Shane Vereen (groin) joined Ninkovich as limited Thursday and were among the 12 Patriots limited at practice. Gregory, Ninkovich and Vereen were all injured in the win over the Ravens. Vereen left in the first quarter and did not return.

Wide receiver Josh Boyce (ankle) and safety Devin McCourty (concussion) were the only two players not practicing Thursday. McCourty (concussion) left Sunday’s game against the Ravens with a head injury in the second half, and did not return. In addition, Boyce has been nagged by an ankle issue he’s been dealing with since a loss to Miami earlier this month.
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[varjao]

So unfortunate that Boyce injury , kid was starting to click, a couple more games and that could be a move up on the depth chart over Thompkins for the playoffs.

 

[jmt57]

Early Friday updates:

It Is What It Is » Patriots practice Friday: Rob Ninkovich not spotted, Devin McCourty (concussion), Josh Boyce (ankle) miss again

Linebacker Rob Ninkovich wasn’t spotted during the media availability portion of Friday’s practice. Before Friday, Ninkovich had been in attendance for every Patriots practice this season.

The Patriots practiced in sweats and shells on a frigid Friday morning on the lower grass fields.

Ninkovich didn’t appear to injure himself during Sunday’s win in Baltimore but appeared on Thursday’s injury report as limited with an ankle injury, opening the door to the possibility that he was injured during Thursday’s practice. He was not spotted in the team’s stretching drills in the first 10 minutes of practice open to the media. There were conflicting reports as to whether Ninkovich actually made his way to practice.


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New England Patriots practice report: Rob Ninkovich not spotted | MassLive.com

Wide receiver Josh Boyce (ankle), safety Devin McCourty (concussion) and practice squad running back Cierre Wood were also not spotted.

It seems unlikely that McCourty and Boyce will play this weekend against the Buffalo Bills.


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McCourty, Boyce, Ninkovich not spotted | ESPN

If Ninkovich is unable to play, the Patriots have veteran Andre Carter as a top reserve option, supplemented by rookie Michael Buchanan.

At safety, Duron Harmon is the likely candidate to replace McCourty and play alongside Steve Gregory.

Finally, practice squad running back Cierre Wood was not spotted on the field, though another player wearing No. 39 was.

The Patriots currently have an open spot on the active roster after waiving Marquice Cole on Thursday, but it's unclear if No. 39 has been signed to the active roster or practice squad to replace Wood.
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[FortressX]

Can you be "not spotted" and then be "spotted" ?

Defensive end Rob Ninkovich was a late arrival at this morning's practice at Gillette Stadium. He was not spotted by every reporter taking attendance during the brief media window, but Patriots.com has since tipped us off to video evidence of Ninkovich arriving afterward.

The Blitz with Jeff Howe & Karen Guregian | Boston Herald

 

[Tunescribe]

So, it looks like Stevie Johnson is out and Fred Johnson is limited -- good for us.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Speaking of the devil,what are the odds no else in the offense gets injured after week 17?

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Speaking of the devil,what are the odds no else in the offense gets injured after week 17?

0%. We will get at least one injury. I don't think we have played a game this year and not lost someone to injury.

 

[SVN]

Ben Volin ?@BenVolin 25m
Thad Lewis is starting Sunday for the #Bills, and he won't have Stevie Johnson. #Patriots should have little trouble

an ignorant post by a beat reporter

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Ben Volin ?@BenVolin 25m
Thad Lewis is starting Sunday for the #Bills, and he won't have Stevie Johnson. #Patriots should have little trouble

an ignorant post by a beat reporter

I think this game will be closer than many think.

 

[jmt57]

It Is What It Is » Patriots practice Friday: Rob Ninkovich present, Devin McCourty (concussion), Josh Boyce (ankle) miss again

After much debate and conflicting reports, it was confirmed Friday that linebacker Rob Ninkovich did attend practice. He told reporters he’ll be ready to play Sunday in Buffalo. “I haven’t missed a practice all season,” said Ninkovich, who had an ice pack on his left ankle in the locker room after practice.

Asked if he’ll be ready to play in the season finale, Ninkovich said, “I’ll be all right.”

The Patriots practiced in sweats and shells on a frigid Friday morning on the lower grass fields.

Ninkovich didn’t appear to injure himself during Sunday’s win in Baltimore but appeared on Thursday’s injury report as limited with an ankle injury, opening the door to the possibility that he was injured during Thursday’s practice. He was not spotted by most reporters in the team’s stretching drills in the first 10 minutes of practice open to the media. However, TV cameras spotted him late in practice and he did participate.
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.....


Neither player (Devin McCourty and Josh Boyce) is expected to suit up for Sunday’s game after missing Tuesday’s walkthrough and practice on Thursday and Friday.
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Rookie safety Duron Harmon will have to play the role of communicator if Devin McCourty is unable to play this week | masslive.com

Each Sunday, from his spot at safety, Devin McCourty surveys the land before him and barks out orders to the other members of the secondary, with the hope of putting them in position to succeed. Most times it works, and has been a big reason the secondary has become respectable this season, but when McCourty's voice was silenced when he went down last week against the Baltimore Ravens with a concussion.


Not considering his performance, which grades out among the best safeties in the league, potentially losing McCourty's leadership, even for a week, will be a big blow for the Patriots.


"Just like Jerod (Mayo), Vince (Wilfork), Tommy (Kelly), you know, there are guys that are hard to replace," cornerback Kyle Arrington said. "You say next man up, but Dev is one of our leaders, one of our communicators back there. You got to move on."


After missing all three practices this week, it looks like New England is going to have to find a way to move on, and find someone to step up and fill McCourty's shoes, at least for one week. It appears that man will be rookie safety Duron Harmon.


This won't be Harmon's first time starting this season. He slid in next to McCourty when Steve Gregory was out two games with a broken thumb. If McCourty is unable to play this will be the first time Harmon starts next to Gregory, and one of the few times the two have played together without McCourty on the field.


Overall, the duo has played 42 snaps without McCourty on the field this season, most of which came last week against Baltimore.
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[patsinthesnow]

I think we should win comfortably, we just have to be careful on offense. The Bills are 1st in sacks and 2nd in INTs. Got to protect Tom Sunday.

Defensively, we are facing a backup caliber QB without Stevie Johnson. We should own them like we owned the Ravens offense. There is no Cameron or Gordon on the Bills offense that could take advantage of our injured D IMO.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

I think we should win comfortably, we just have to be careful on offense. The Bills are 1st in sacks and 2nd in INTs. Got to protect Tom Sunday.

Defensively, we are facing a backup caliber QB without Stevie Johnson. We should own them like we owned the Ravens offense. There is no Cameron or Gordon on the Bills offense that could take advantage of our injured D IMO.

I think we win comfortable but not 49-10 type win. Maybe by 2 Tds. But yes, we need to keep Tom clean, we are going to need a 100% Tom for the playoff run.

 

[brdmaverick]

I think this game will be closer than many think.

They always are.....earlier in the year we could have said "Texans without Matt Schaub and Arian Foster. Pats should have little trouble." ...and that certainly wasn't true.


The Dolphins, even after monumental wins at Pit and vs NE, fall victim to the Buffalo trap. let's hope we don't do the same.

 

[SVN]

I think we should win comfortably, we just have to be careful on offense. The Bills are 1st in sacks and 2nd in INTs. Got to protect Tom Sunday.

Defensively, we are facing a backup caliber QB without Stevie Johnson. We should own them like we owned the Ravens offense. There is no Cameron or Gordon on the Bills offense that could take advantage of our injured D IMO.

No Johnson helps but they have 2 800 yard rushers on jackson and spiller vs our improving but still suspect run D. thats why when peope like ben volin equate no johnson to an easy win, its just ignorance. Stopping the run is big key this week.

 

[jmt57]

Last week I figured that the Bills without both EJ Manuel and Steve Johnson tilted the odds heavily in favor of the Dolphins, but that certainly did not turn out to be the case.

It Is What It Is » Thad Lewis gets starting nod over injured EJ Manuel against Patriots

Bills head coach Doug Marrone announced Friday that Thad Lewis will get the start against the Patriots in place of Manuel, who is out with an LCL injury to his left knee. Lewis led the Bills to a 19-0 win over the Dolphins last week in Orchard Park.

Manuel has had three different knee injuries has now missed six regular season games. Lewis, meanwhile, has thrown for 845 yards this season and has completed just over 60 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and three interceptions.

For Lewis it’s another opportunity to help solidify himself as the team’s backup quarterback heading into the 2014 season. The third-year signal caller out of Duke will make his fifth start for the Bills Sunday.

‘Thad is 2-and-2 playing for us and really doing a good job,’ said Marrone. ‘We know that he’s capable being that backup. It’s a big game for him. As a backup, you’re always trying to prove yourself. It will be very good for us to be able to go into the offseason and having, believe it or not, an experienced I guess quarterback in Thad, maybe not from the standpoint of games played, but from the standpoint of years in the league.

‘He brings a lot to our football team. Our team has confidence that they can win with him and I think that’s the most important thing.’
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[RIpats88]

I would use a similar gameplan we did with the ravens. just ram it down their throats with Blount/Ridley setting up play action.

 

[Kontradiction]

With Thad Lewis starting and Stevie Johnson possibly out, I have some profound words that will more than likely blow your minds: Rest those that need to rest and play those that need to play (including Brady).

 

[jmt57]

Updates from Friday afternoon.

Did Not Practice
WR Josh Boyce (ankle) OUT
S Devin McCourty (concussion) DOUBTFUL


Limited Participation
CB Kyle Arrington (groin) QUESTIONABLE
OT Marcus Cannon (ankle) PROBABLE
CB Alfonzo Dennard (knee/shoulder) QUESTIONABLE
WR Aaron Dobson (foot) QUESTIONABLE
LB Dane Fletcher (groin) QUESTIONABLE
S Steve Gregory (finger/knee) QUESTIONABLE
DL Rob Ninkovhich (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
OT Nate Solder (concussion) QUESTIONABLE
LB Brandon Spikes (knee) QUESTIONABLE
OT Will Svitek (ankle) QUESTIONABLE
WR Kenbrell Thompkins (hip) QUESTIONABLE
RB Shane Vereen (groin) QUESTIONABLE


Full Participation
WR Danny Amendola (groin) PROBABLE
QB Tom Brady (right shoulder) PROBABLE
TE Michael Hoomanawanui (knee) PROBABLE
CB Aqib Talib (hip) PROBABLE


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DB Aaron Williams to I-R; WR Cordell Roberson called up

The Bills made a roster move Friday. They placed Aaron Williams on injured reserve to call up a practice squad wide receiver.

Williams was already listed as out for Sunday’s season finale at New England with a rib injury suffered in the Week 15 win over Jacksonville. To fill the vacancy, practice squad WR Cordell Roberson was called up to the 53-man roster.

Roberson (6-4, 205) was signed to the team’s practice squad on Oct. 29th where he has spent the past two months.

With Stevie Johnson declared out for Sunday’s game and Marquise Goodwin and Marcus Easley both nicked with knee injuries and listed as probable, the Bills are being proactive about their numbers at the receiver position.

Roberson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Cleveland, was released prior to the regular season and spent a portion of the year on the practice squad of Carolina before joining the Bills.

The receiver finished his career at Stephen F. Austin University (2009-12) as the school's all-time leader in receptions (221), receiving yards (3,191) and touchdown catches (39).

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It Is What It Is » Patriots Friday injury report: Josh Boyce ruled out, Devin McCourty doubtful, 11 questionable

The Patriots finished up practice Friday on a frigid day outside Gillette Stadium. Rob Ninkovich did participate but was limited for a second straight day and is questionable for the season finale. Ninkovich is one of 11 players officially listed as questionable.

Ninkovich, with an ice pack on his injured left ankle, did speak to reporters on Friday and said he would be “all right” to go and play Sunday in the season finale. For the Bills, Thad Lewis will start at quarterback as EJ Manuel (left knee) is doubtful while receiver Stevie Johnson (mother’s death) and safety Aaron Williams (ribs) have both been ruled out.

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New England Patriots' Devin McCourty (concussion) doubtful for Sunday - espnBoston

Patriots safety Devin McCourty, who has missed practice each day this week after suffering a Week 16 concussion, is listed as doubtful to play against the Bills in the regular-season finale. McCourty was spotted in the locker room on Friday, though he politely declined an interview request.

Rookie wide receiver Josh Boyce will miss his second consecutive game due to an ankle injury suffered in Week 15, while 11 other players, including starting defensive end Rob Ninkovich (ankle) are questionable.

Should McCourty sit, the Patriots will turn to rookie Duron Harmon, a third-round choice out of Rutgers who previously filled in for safety Steve Gregory as he rehabbed from a broken thumb injury.

Starting left tackle Nate Solder, who sat out last week's game against Baltimore due to a concussion, is questionable after practicing on a limited basis each day this week.
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