New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills Week 1 Injury Report
The New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills released their injury reports yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s game at Ralph Wilson Stadium, and there are some interesting things to look at with the release of the injury report. Jairus Byrd is clearly the most important injury to keep an eye on, because the Bills have listed him doubtful and his absence would be a crushing blow to a Bills secondary that has to face Tom Brady and is already without top CB Stephon Gilmore.
New England Patriot rookie Aaron Dobson speaks to the media during rookie minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots
Out
OT Will Svitek (knee)
Doubtful
TE Rob Gronkowski (back/forearm)
Questionable
WR Aaron Dobson (hamstring)
RB Brandon Bolden (knee)
S Nate Ebner (ankle)
S Duron Harmon (hamstring)
Probable
WR Danny Amendola (ankle)
Will Svitek is the only player on the New England Patriots to miss practice this week, and he missed every single practice. There was no doubt that he would be ruled out, and Svitek is sporting a knee brace. TE Rob Gronkowski’s listing as “doubtful” is a mere formality at this point, and it would be imprudent and a shock to see Gronk suit up and play tomorrow. Aaron Dobson is the surprise of the injury report, and it will be interesting to see if there is anything to this hamstring injury. I don’t think so, and I would be shocked if Dobson missed his regular season debut. Brandon Bolden. Nate Ebner, and Duron Harmon have not suffered any known injuries, so it’s interesting to see them put on the injury report. No. 1 wide receiver Danny Amendola is a lock to play, and his listing on the injury report is simply due to the fact that the Patriots limited him in practices earlier this week in order to give him more rest (he practiced fully yesterday).
Buffalo Bills
Out
CB Stephon Gilmore (wrist)
K Dustin Hopkins (right groin)
C Doug Legursky (knee)
Doubtful
FS Jairus Byrd (foot)
Probable
E.J. Manuel (knee)
E.J. Manuel is a lock to play after participating fully all week, and all of the players ruled out are definitely not surprises. Stephon Gilmore will be out five or six games, while Dustin Hopkins was already ruled out earlier this week; former Miami Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter will boot field goals. Jairus Byrd’s status is up in the air, but it looks like we should expect the star safety to be out of this game. Tom Brady won’t have to worry about the disgruntled Oregon product patrolling the back end of the secondary, and that certainly bodes well for the rookie wideouts.