Chung and Branch are OUT

[QuantumMechanic]

Initial inactives:

S Patrick Chung (foot)
LB Brandon Spikes (knee)
WR Deion Branch (groin)
RB Shane Vereen (hamstring)
OT Sebastian Vollmer (ankle/back)

Five downgraded; Ventrone promoted again - Extra Points - Boston.com

 

[The_Riddler]

So Spikes practice all week and can't get on the field for this big game, go figure, wtf is going on.

 

[BTTA]

So Spikes practice all week and can't get on the field for this big game, go figure, wtf is going on.

Where did you see that he practiced all week? I thought the reports were that he didn't get on the field until Thursday.

 

[The_Riddler]

Where did you see that he practiced all week? I thought the reports were that he didn't get on the field until Thursday.

I thought he attended each practice this week, correct me if I'm wrong, I though I had heard that and that he had a great chance of playing this week.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

spikes didn't practice at all this week IIRC


Chung has been and even was like 3 weeks ago..out doing pregame warmups..still hasn't played...more frustrating IMO

I see Chung playing before Spikes

 

[jmt57]

Surprise! Ross Ventrone signed for Broncos game

Five downgraded; Ventrone promoted - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston

Meanwhile, as expected, the Patriots have promoted safety Ross Ventrone from the practice squad to fill the open spot on the 53-man roster created when cornerback Malcolm Williams was waived on Thursday.

Head coach Bill Belichick said on Friday that the team would add someone to the roster who "would be able to contribute more than [Williams]" and "somebody we feel could help us in the game." Williams played on three special teams units in Sunday's win over the Redskins, so if Ventrone's contributions would top that, it will be interesting to see if Ventrone has an unexpected role on defense, in addition to his expected contributions on special teams. Ventrone played on three special teams units in his last game on the 53-man roster (Nov 21. vs. Kansas City).​

The way I see it, Belichick may be thinking that kickoffs will be boomed for touchbacks in the thin air at Denver - making special teams play less significant than it would be in other games. Williams perhaps may be a better special teams player, but BB felt Ventrone is ahead of him as a defensive back.

 

[jmt57]

According to Reiss, Spikes was one of 13 players (including Branch) that was limited in each of the three practices this week.

Brady, Wilfork removed from injury report - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston

As we've seen with him, Fletcher, Chung and others, being limited in practice as opposed to not practicing at all is no guarantee that you'll play on Sunday.

 

[DarrylS]

The 6th inactive will be Ryan Mallett..