7 major players listed as questionable for Patriots on Sunday

The New England Patriots have officially announced that seven of their players are listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

On Friday, the New England Patriots announced that seven of their most important players have a 50/50 shot of suiting up for the team Sunday afternoon, per the official report listed at Patriots.com. The Patriots are set to travel to Orchard Park, New York, to face the Buffalo Bills in a battle of undefeated 3-0 teams from the AFC East.

The winner of Sunday’s contest will take over undisputed control of the division at the quarter-mark of the regular season.

Arguably the most notable name on the list is wide receiver Julian Edelman, who was knocked out of the Pats’ Week 3 game against the New York Jets with a chest injury. He got up massaging his rib area after being tackled and landed upon hard by 300-lb Jets defensive end Henry Anderson. While Edelman did not return to action, the team and its fans at least got some good news when X-rays reportedly came back negative on the affected area.

Supposedly, Edelman’s iffy status for Sunday’s high-profile tilt against the Bills has more to do with pain management at this point, as opposed to Edelman needing to receive any kind of medical clearance. If he feels capable of game action come Sunday morning, he’ll probably be active. If he’s still limited, the team might elect to play it safe and give him an extra week of rest.

Either way, he’ll most likely travel with the team to Buffalo. Even if he doesn’t end up playing, the Patriots should be well-equipped to contend with the Bills defense, thanks to Tom Brady, Phillip Dorsett, Josh Gordon, and impressive rookie Jakobi Meyers.

Elsewhere on offense, running back Rex Burkhead is dealing with a foot injury that has made him limited in practice participation this week. Burkhead is the Pats’ leading rusher through three weeks; he’s also currently fourth in receiving yards for the team. While his absence Sunday would certainly be felt, it could potentially be mitigated some by the return of James White, who has a similar skill-set.

Tight end Matt LaCosse is also questionable with an ankle injury that has nagged him all season long. If he can’t go, the Patriots will turn to Ryan Izzo at tight end against the Bills. Longtime veteran Benjamin Watson also returns from his four-game suspension next week against the Redskins.

Tackle Marshall Newhouse has been combating an illness that has left him questionable for Sunday. Newhouse was spotted at practice on Friday after being absent on Thursday, which could bode well for his odds of playing Sunday. Newhouse has been pressed into duty ever since injuries took their toll first on right tackle Marcus Cannon and then on left tackle Isaiah Wynn.

On defense, pass-rushing specialist Michael Bennett and linebacker Dont’a Hightower are both questionable with shoulder injuries. The expectation is that both players will play Sunday against the Bills; if either of them is forced to sit out, it could lead to more snaps for some combination of Chase Winovich, Deatrich Wise, John Simon, Ja’Whaun Bentley, and Elandon Roberts.

Finally, special teams ace Nate Ebner is questionable with a groin injury. Similar to Bennett and Hightower, Ebner is expected to play through the pain on Sunday. If he can’t, the team could turn to a whole host of options as replacements; the Pats are especially deep on both defense and special teams this season.