Patriots News: Malcolm Mitchell absent from first practice
New England Patriots News: Wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell was absent from practice, putting his future return in doubt.
Recent New England Patriots news takes a look at the injury report. Injuries have been something that has haunted the Patriots all season. One position that has been hit very hard throughout the season was wide receiver.
The only Patriots receiver that has been available all season has been Brandin Cooks. Chris Hogan has missed multiple games with a shoulder injury. Danny Amendola has battled a myriad of injuries. At least the Patriots have had those players available, as some haven’t had the chance to get onto the field.
Slot receiver Julian Edelman has been sidelined since the preseason with a knee injury. Malcolm Mitchell has yet to appear in a game yet this season, but there was hope that he could return from the IR.However, those hopes could be dwindling.
Based on NFL rules, there was a chance that Mitchell could return to help the Patriots during the playoffs if they continued to advance.
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Mitchell was designated as the Patriots player to return two weeks ago. He has appeared in five practices according to Mike Reiss of ESPN, but it sounds like it could take longer for him to get reacclimated than the Patriots thought.
Belichick didn’t sound overly optimistic according to Reiss when asked about Mitchell’s progress.
"“We see him out there trying to get back into practice and do the things he’s asked to do.”When asked how he’s doing with it, because it seems he has a long way to go, Belichick said: “Exactly. That’s the way I would characterize it.”"
While the Patriots would love to get Mitchell back, they do have some depth at the position. Hogan looks like he will be ready to return to the field this weekend against the Tennessee Titans. The Patriots also have Phillip Dorsett along with Amendola and Cooks.
One player to keep an eye on is veteran Kenny Britt. Britt gives the Patriots receiving group something it doesn’t have much of in size. After being released by the Cleveland Browns, Britt has to be counting his blessings that he ended up with a Super Bowl contender in the Patriots.
In addition to Mitchell, the Patriots were also without running back Mike Gillislee. Gillislee is still dealing with a knee injury.
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If he returns to practice, there is no guarantee that he is even active on game day. Gillislee looks to be fourth, at best, on the depth chart behind Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead and James White.