The New England Patriots have a number of banged-up players, but they can’t afford to rest any of them with a first-round bye on the line this week.
One more week.
That’s got to be the motto around Foxborough these days for the New England Patriots, many of whom are bruised, battered, and banged-up… though far from broken.
The team demonstrated tremendous physical and mental toughness in outlasting a well-balanced and well-coached Buffalo Bills team last week. The win not only guaranteed the Pats would finish with their 11th consecutive division championship and first-place finish in the AFC East – it also helped dispel a lot of the doubts and worries surrounding this team this year.
There’s still a long ways to go, to be sure, but it was absolutely wonderful nonetheless to see players like Julian Edelman out there making major contributions for his team’s winning effort – especially despite the fact that he was playing through a bevy of injuries and pain.
Edelman is one of eight different Patriots players who find their names on the team’s final injury report of Week 17 – and of the regular season – according to the official team website. All eight of the players are listed as questionable currently; New England has no one listed as doubtful or out for this final homestand of the 2019 calendar year.
Edelman himself is dealing with injuries to both his knee and shoulder. While the subject of potential load management was a hot topic around Foxborough and Boston-area media in Week 16, the Patriots’ leading receiver this season would not be denied his opportunity to play last week, and he looks set to suit up again in Week 17.
If the Patriots race out to a sizable lead, however, it might make sense to sit Edelman as soon as they can. He, more than any other player on the roster not named Tom Brady (or perhaps Stephon Gilmore), needs to be kept fresh and ready for the postseason.
Tackle Marcus Cannon is the only other offensive player for New England on the injury report. Cannon left last week’s game against Buffalo with an ankle ailment, and his practice participation this week has been limited. If he can’t go this Sunday, expect Marshall Newhouse to take his place.
Defensively, cornerbacks Jason McCourty and Jonathan Jones continue to rehab their groin injuries. Safety Terrence Brooks was also added to the injury report on Friday with a groin injury of his own. Hopefully at least one of two of these DBs – if not all three of them – makes it back this weekend to the playing field.
Three New England linebackers are also questionable for this game – Shilique Calhoun (illness), Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee), and Jamie Collins (shoulder). The Patriots are contending with one of the worst offenses in the league this week in the Dolphins, so if the opportunity presents itself to rest some of their key defensive cogs – namely Collins – they should certainly do so.
Miami has just six players listed on their final injury report of the week, though one of them has already been ruled out for the team’s regular season finale.
Starting cornerback Jomal Wiltz will not suit up for the Fins in Foxborough because of a shoulder injury. Next up on the depth chart is Tae Haynes.
On the defensive line, tackles Christian Wilkins (ankle) and Zach Sieler (thumb/ankle) are both questionable to play on Sunday. While Sieler is only a backup for the Dolphins, Wilkins is their prized first-round draft pick (No. 13 overall) this year out of Clemson. His absence would be huge for Miami against a steadily-improving New England offensive line.
Dolphins defensive end Taco Charlton is also questionable for this game with an ankle injury. Charlton spent the first two seasons of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys before ending up in Miami. Another former Cowboy, wide receiver Allen Hurns, is questionable to play for Miami because of injuries to his ankle and neck.
Finally, linebacker Vince Biegel has an elbow injury that leaves him questionable to play versus the Patriots.
The Dolphins have long since been eliminated from the NFL postseason, and are simply playing for draft positioning in 2020 at this point – and for pride. The Patriots must win this game (or have the Chiefs lose against the Chargers) in order to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs.
New England desperately needs that extra week to rest their injured players and formulate a gameplan for whomever they might face in the Divisional round the following week – especially considering their most-likely adversary is the reigning league MVP, Patrick Mahomes, and the high-powered Chiefs offense.
Kansas City beat New England back in Week 14 this year, 23-16, at Gillette Stadium.