The Patriots and Dolphins are set to play a crucial Week 17 game Sunday afternoon, and the Patriots will be without key players. If the Patriots lose to Miami, they will be officially eliminated from the playoffs. Both teams are dealing with substantial injuries, so the question is, which team will deal with the obstacle better?
The Patriots announced Friday afternoon that four players were ruled out due to various injuries. CB Jack Jones (knee), CB Marcus Jones (concussion), TE Jonnu Smith (concussion), and WR DeVante Parker (concussion) will all be inactive. At the same time, Damien Harris will be active for the first time since Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, the Patriots listed TE Hunter Henry (knee), CB Jonathan Jones (chest), CB Jalen Mills (groin), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle), and WR Tyquan Thornton (knee) as questionable.
The Patriots’ cornerback depth will be tested, as both Joneses will be out, and Mills could miss his fifth straight game with a groin injury. Marcus Jones suffered a concussion last week against the Bengals, while Jack Jones suffered a knee injury in Week 14. Making matters worse, the Patriots will have to go against a dynamic receiver duo in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Hill and Waddle are the only duos with more than 1,000 receiving yards each.
However, the Patriots will catch a break, as Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be out due to a third concussion so the Patriots will face Teddy Bridgewater.
Jalen Mills seemed to settle a injury setback when the team practiced out West but returned to practice Friday. The Patriots have three cornerbacks on the practice squad roster and Shaun Wade on the active roster. Wade has only been active three times this season, playing one snap last week against Cincinnati, which resulted in a touchdown.
Meanwhile, the Patriots may be without both tight ends Sunday, as Jonnu Smith was already ruled out with a concussion, and Hunter Henry is questionable due to a knee injury. The Patriots could elevate TE Matt Sokol from the practice squad if Henry and Smith are out. The game plan may call for more snaps for Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor.
For the Dolphins they listed tackle Eric Fisher as doubtful. Fisher joined the Dolphins in December and he has yet to make his debut. Miami also ruled out Tua Tagovailoa with a concussion. Meanwhile, Pro Bowler Xavien Howard did not participate in Friday’s session due to a knee injury and is listed as questionable. The Dolphins also listed LB Bradley Chubb as a game-time decision.
Both teams’ full injury report is listed below.
Patriots
OUT
WR DeVante Parker (concussion)
TE Jonnu Smith (concussion)
CB Jack Jones (knee)
CB Marcus Jones (concussion)
QUESTIONABLE
RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle)
WR Tyquan Thornton (knee)
TE Hunter Henry (knee)
CB Jalen Mills (groin)
CB Jonathan Jones (chest)
Dolphins
OUT
QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion)
Doubtful
OT Eric Fisher (calf)
QUESTIONABLE
FB Alec Ingold (thumb)
WR River Cracraft (calf)
OT Terron Armstead (toe/pectoral/knee/hip)
OT Greg Little (foot)
LB Bradley Chubb (ankle/hand)
CB Xavien Howard (knee)
New England will announce their practice squad elevations at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Patriots and Dolphins kick off at 1:00 p.m. on New Year’s day.
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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.
