When the New England Patriots take the field to face the Philadelphia Eagles, it remains a mystery as to who will actually be on the field for the team as injuries continue to rack up. With Julian Edelman down until the playoffs and Aaron Dobson heading to injured reserve, the injuries to Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski did not come at good times for the team. In Week 13, only one of them is expected back on the field.
According to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, Amendola is expected to play in Week 13 following a knee injury that kept him out of the loss to the Denver Broncos. That is good news for Tom Brady and company and the receiver is an immediate fantasy starter for owners. When Edelman went down, Amendola did a solid job of stepping up immediately and that will needed now more than ever if the Patriots want to avoid any kind of losing streak.
"I'll get out there today and run around and know more, but I feel good. I can't put a number on it, or a percentage, but I feel OK to go out there today and run around," Amendola said, via ESPN.com.
One player not expected in Week 13 is Gronkowski who remains out with a knee injury. The tight end has not been at practice this week and his status is doubtful for Sunday's game. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the injury was not as bad as originally assumed which is good news, but that does not mean he is getting on the field to play against the Eagles. Instead, Scott Chandler is expected to step up. The backup tight end has seen playing time and has the confidence of Brady going into Sunday, but he stressed that he is not trying to replace Gronkowski and will focus on just doing his job.
"I don't know that it's always that easy," Chandler said, via NESN.com. "There's not a lot of Robs walking around. I'm just doing what I can here. I'm focused on that. I'm not trying to be Rob, because I would fail."
The Patriots will lean on Chandler who has 198 yards and three touchdown catches this season. Those are good numbers for someone filling in for the top target on the team. Brandon Bolden, Brandon LaFell and LeGarrette Bount will be expected to carry the rest of the offense. The Patriots should fare well against the struggling Eagles team, but they need Gronkowski back on the field to go further.