We might only be a month and a half into the 2026 season, but looking at the Patriots' injury report, especially the players who have spent time on injured reserve, you'd think we were near the end of a long 18-game season.
Instead, the injury bug has been running rampant in New England, and a handful of players are dealing with ailments that could jeopardize their availability for the current or upcoming game.
This week is even more dire, since they face the Bears on Thursday Night Football in Chicago, so those dealing with injuries, or who suffered new ones this past Sunday, have as much time to heal before it's game time again.
And for a handful of players, we already know they won't be on the field this week; instead, they'll get a mini-bye to heal up before their Week 8 showdown with the Dolphins.
For now, these are the latest updates on key players ahead of Thursday's game. As more updates come in, their status will be updated.
The latest injury updates regarding the Patriots' long list hurt players going into Week 7
WR A.J. Brown is not feeling any effects of his ankle injury
Following his performance against the Jets on Sunday, there were many rumors that Brown wasn't fully healed from the ankle sprain that sent him to injured reserve for four games.
He caught just 3 of 10 receptions for 27 yards, including 3 drops, leading many to wonder whether it was a mistake to have him back on the field already.
But according to Vrabel, and now even Brown himself, his ankle isn't a lingering issue, and he should be "fine" for Thursday's game. He was a limited participant at practice on Tuesday, which is still a good sign, and he probably shook off the rust against the Jets.
A.J. Brown says his ankle is fine heading into Thursday night football
— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) October 20, 2026
A.J. said he took some bumps and bruises last week but “everything but the ankle.”
-@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/8Squ57HJZs
OL Ben Brown won't play on Thursday
As if it wasn't bad enough with how many players had been injured, things got worse in the fourth quarter when Brown rolled in with a knee injury. He was already filling in for another injured guard, so his absence was a major blow to an already depleted offensive line.
Unfortunately, it's unlikely he will play this week, according to Vrabel, so we'll have to see who the Patriots choose to play at right guard in his absence.
CB Carlton Davis III was back at practice on Tuesday amid a neck injury
A neck injury has kept Davis off the field for the last three games, but he might be back this week, if not Week 8, since he returned to practice on Tuesday.
He was listed as limited, which isn't great when there's a game on Thursday night. However, it's an upgrade from where he was heading into the Jets matchup, so he's clearly trending in the right direction, which is what matters.
RT Morgan Moses is questionable to play this week
After leaving Sunday's game in the second quarter with an ankle/foot injury, it didn't look like Moses would be suiting up this week or any time soon. He was seen leaving the locker room in a boot, which is never a good sign.
Yet he was at practice on Tuesday and participated in a limited capacity. Even better, Vrabel said he has a chance to play against the Bears, which will make the piling up of offensive line injuries a bit less devastating.
LG Alijah Vera-Tucker will likely not play against the Bears
Although it's not official as of Wednesday morning, Vrabel made it clear that Vera-Tucker is unlikely to be available to play on Thursday Night.
It may not be a serious hamstring injury that will keep him out long, and the decision to keep him out may be precautionary because he got injured during a short week. But we won't know much more about his condition until Vrabel shares details.
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