New England Patriots Thursday Injury Updates
The New England Patriots had notable bits of good news on the injury front yesterday, but they also saw a couple of players go down with injuries of unknown severity as well. Wide receivers Aaron Dobson and Julian Edelman were back in the fold yesterday, as Edelman was activated from the PUP list prior to practice and Dobson was fully expected to practice yesterday after being cleated in the ankle on Monday night (he missed Tuesday’s practice, while Wednesday was a day off).
New England Patriots cornerback
Ras-I Dowling(21) limps off the field during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 29-26. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Running back Brandon Bolden also made his return to practice after missing some sessions, so that was a nice return for the Pats. UDFA defensive tackle Cory Grissom is somebody I had taking the fourth DT spot on the roster before camp, but he has some ground to make up after missing almost the first week of camp with an unknown injury. Grissom was back today, and the run-stopping tackle will be part of a competition at the position with the likes of Joe Vellano and Marcus Forston (it’s most likely going to come down to Forston vs. Grissom).
My projected starting right guard, Marcus Cannon, has put in great work thus far in training camp, but he was also absent yesterday after missing practice Tuesday. I doubt it’s anything serious, especially since the Pats wouldn’t have released Nick McDonald if Cannon was suffering from a serious ailment. Cannon’s versatility is key to the Patriots offensive line, and the ideal scenario has Cannon making the jump and starting over Dan Connolly, who would assume the role as a top utility backup (possibly an overpaid one).
Ras-I Dowling alert right here, as our favorite, injury-prone cornerback left yesterday’s practice. Red flags always go off when a guy like Dowling so much as misses a set of snaps with an ailment, and Dowling has such great length and solid talent. I hate how he can never stay healthy, because Dowling could be a solid corner for this team, and he has shown that during training camp, in the offseason program, and in the past.
Elvis Fisher was a very talented offensive tackle for the Missouri Tigers in college, but he went undrafted this year due to injury concerns. Fisher was seen on the stationary bike at one point yesterday, but I doubt this is anything of concern.
Squarely on the roster bubble, defensive lineman Jermaine Cunningham also did not finish practice.