The Patriots are heading west to face off with the Arizona Cardinals and will be without key starters.
The Patriots released their final injury report of the week, and New England ruled out WR Jakobi Meyers (concussion), OT Isaiah Wynn (foot), and CB Jalen Mills (groin). Furthermore, the team listed running back Damien Harris (thigh) as doubtful. Additionally, Trent Brown (illness) and Yodny Cajuste (calf/back) are questionable.
Tackle Conor McDermott should see a heavy workload for the second consecutive week if one of the tackles can’t suit up. However, suppose Brown and Cajuste are active. In that case, the Patriots will be back to their starting offensive line for the first time in seven weeks, which includes LT Trent Brown, LG Cole Strange, C David Andrews, RG Michael Onwenu, and RT Yodny Cajuste. Although Marcus Cannon is still on the injured reserve, he can be activated anytime.
Jakobi Meyers will miss his third game due to being in concussion protocol after an illegal hit in the end zone at the end of the last week’s game. Rookie Tyquan Thornton should play more, and DeVante Parker should take on the number one role. The Patriots could also activate practice-squad receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. or practice-squad wideout Tre Nixon.
As noted, the Patriots will likely be without running back Damien Harris, who is doubtful with a knee injury, he suffered in Week 12. Second-year running back Rhamondre Stevenson is slated to have another big workload. Last week Stevenson played all but one offensive snap. Rookie running backs Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris haven’t seen the field much this season.
Meanwhile, cornerback Jalen Mills will miss his second straight game on the defense due to a groin injury. However, cornerbacks Jack and Marcus Jones should play more snaps as they did against Buffalo. Marcus Jones tied a season-high 34 snaps, while Jack Jones played 57. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported Jalen Mills should be active next week in Las Vegas.
It is also worth noting defensive lineman Christian Barmore is eligible to be activated off the injured reserve next week. Belichick said Barmore is “doing the best he can” to be ready, and there’s a good chance he plays in Vegas.
The Patriots will face off with the Cardinals on Monday Night at 8:15 p.m. The game will air on ESPN and ESPN2.
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My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
