While the New England Patriots might be getting healthier on offense with the return of Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, the defense is now the main concern. Entering the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Chandler Jones was the only worry, but three players went down with injuries in that game and did not return. Now there are a lot of statuses in doubt for the weekend's game against the Denver Broncos.
According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, the Patriots will not hold their first practice until Wednesday which will be a good thing for injured players and the defense has a lot of them. During the game against Kansas City, Jerod Mayo, Jamie Collins and Jones all went down with injuries at some point in the game. Collins is dealing with a back injury. Mayo suffered a shoulder issues. Jones suffered a non-contract injury to his leg. All three players were highly limited and are now listed as doubtful for the upcoming matchup. If the Patriots are without that depth on defense, they could run into issues.
"When we're required to give them, we'll make sure you get them right away," Patriots coach Belichick said Monday, via Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal. "Again, we didn't practice yesterday, we're not practicing today, so until we actually go out there and do those things I think there are a lot of players that we won't really know for sure where they're at until they go out there and try to practice and do things at the level or close to the level we'll need to do them on Sunday. Really that's kind of the way it is every week and the way it is with every guy."
While the defense is getting hurt, the offense is getting healthy. Tom Brady showed no issues with that sprained ankle in the game. Gronkowski looked healthy following a week of missed practices for a reported knee injury. The only question mark is Edelman. While the receiver led the way in the game on Saturday, NESN.com is reporting he underwent X-rays following the game. Edelman chalked it up as soreness and made it clear that he would be playing this weekend. At this point, injuries are nothing new for the Patriots to try and get past. Gronkowski simply said it is all about staying focused and making the play.
"Any time, big games like this, you always have to put a little extra work in if you're out there on the practice field or not. It just worked out well; I felt good for the game and we went out there and did what we had to do to get the win," Gronkowski said, via ESPN.com.
