New England Patriots Friday Injury Updates
The biggest news on the injury front for the New England Patriots yesterday was the injury that wide receiver Julian Edelman suffered another foot injury at practice yesterday, and he was seen with the trainer. We don’t know how serious the injury is or even if the injury was to Edelman’s same foot, but this is bad news all the same. Injuries are always the main question with Edelman, and it’s such a shame to see Edelman get injured just a day after practicing for the first time after coming off of the PUP list with an aggravated foot injury.
New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 59-24. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
When Edelman was on the field, though, he was excellent, and you can immediately see his rapport with Tom Brady. Edelman didn’t show any rust or signs of lingering effects of the injury when he was healthy, as he looked quick and showed off great hands. A prime candidate for a breakout year in 2013 if healthy, Edelman’s spot on the roster is still safe, but it isn’t guaranteed. Let’s hope that this is only a minor injury, because Edelman can ill-afford constant foot issues or a significant injury. Plus, Edelman is the Patriots lone returning receiver with tangible playing time at the position, and he’s also a darn good one too after what he showed down the stretch last season before being placed on the injured reserve with a broken foot.
Brandon Bolden once again did not practice, and it is still unclear as to what is ailing him, though he did dress out. Jermaine Cunningham and Ras-I Dowling suffered injuries on Thursday, and neither of them practiced yesterday. Dowling’s injury is definitely worth monitoring closely as the talented but oft-injured cornerback heads into a make-or-break year. With Alfonzo Dennard limited for unknown reasons, the Patriots brought Devin McCourty back to CB for practice. If the Patriots depth at CB is tested, then the Pats will have to move D-Mac back to CB, where he is merely “very good” as opposed to elite at safety.
Projected starting right guard (yes, I have him penciled in there as the starter over Dan Connolly, who is best off as a super backup to the guards and centers) Marcus Cannon was once again not able to practice, and backup offensive tackle Kevin Haslam was also out. Elvis Fisher is another backup tackle who is dealing with injuries, and the Missouri Tigers UDFA went undrafted despite an excellent college career at Mizzou due to injuries. Haslam has no spot on the roster or practice squad, but Fisher is somebody who I have penciled into my practice squad.
New England Patriots veteran wide receiver Michael Jenkins is the old guy of the bunch, and “Molasses Mike” is on the outside looking in right now with the way Kenbrell Thompkins has blown our minds in training camp. Jenkins’s only hopes at making the 53-man roster seem to be if the Patriots decide to keep seven receivers or if Thompkins fizzles out (or if the worst case scenario happens and Julian Edelman has to miss time). However, Jenkins is dealing with his own injury woes, as he suffered what was likely a minor left hamstring injury.