8 Patriots miss practice with an illness in Week 13

Stephon Gilmore and Dont’a Hightower were among those absent from practice.

New England Patriots are famous for placing players on injured reserve with the “Foxborough Flu” to stash those player for the season. But in practice on Wednesday in Week 13 ahead of game against the Houston Texans, New England seemed to have a legitimate case of the Foxborough flu.

Safety Patrick Chung, linebackers Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower, tackle Isaiah Wynn, cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Joejuan Williams, tight end Ryan Izzo and guard Jermaine Eluemunor were absent from practice due to illness. Chung also had an injury designation (heel/chest).

Tackle Marcus Cannon, who was dealing with an illness last week, was limited in practice on Wednesday. Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee), receivers Phillip Dorsett (concussion), Julian Edelman (shoulder), Matthew Slater (hamstring) and Mohamed Sanu (ankle), safety Nate Ebner (ankle/back) and cornerback Jason McCourty (groin) were limited.

Safety Devin McCourty said a handful of players were sent home with a sickness.

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