The Patriots are certainly lean at tight end right now, and it sounds like there’s a possibility they’ll be without a key name heading into week one.
Head coach Jerod Mayo was asked about the status of Hunter Henry, with the veteran currently sidelined due to an injury he suffered a week ago.
At the time, the initial reports weren’t thought to be serious. However, it appears to be a lingering issue that has a cloud hanging over his status for the upcoming season.
When asked about it Monday during his early morning interview on WEEI, Mayo instilled some doubt with his response.
“I would say these aren’t extended recoveries for these guys,” said Mayo, referring to his tight ends. “They’ll be ready to go relatively early in the season.”
Relatively early in the season isn’t exactly the same as being available for the opener.
He was asked about that comment later this morning during his normal press conference with reporters, with Mayo asked directly about the status of Henry and if the tight end’s status might ‘be in doubt.’
“I wouldn’t say it’s in doubt,” said Mayo. “I mean, right now, we have to see. We still have a lot of time. I think he’ll be there, but once again, when he’s ready to play, he’ll be out there.”
That doesn’t exactly exude much confidence. Although, as Mayo said, there’s still plenty of time before the Patriots kick off the season.
In addition to Henry, both Austin Hooper and Mitchell Wilcox are also among the players in the tight end group trying to get healthy. That leaves them with just rookie Jaheim Bell, and he’s also been nicked up.
As a result, they’re really thin right now, with Henry’s status being the one that obviously stands out the most. Hopefully, the veteran will indeed be ready to go, as he’s been a big part of the club’s third-down success in recent years and remains one of the more steady targets in the offense.
For a group that is trying to ensure it finishes better than it did in 2023, having Henry is going to be a big key to their success, especially in an Alex Van Pelt offense that relies so much on the tight end position.
Needless to say, until Henry recovers, it remains something to keep an eye on heading into the season.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
