The New England Patriots are flying out for Sunday’s much-anticipated matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they’re hopeful to have safety Adrian Phillips back on the field.
Despite dealing with a rib injury, the veteran defensive back is traveling with the team, which indicates he’ll have a real opportunity to suit up and play in the game.
However, it’ll likely be a game-time decision with him still listed on the injury report. The Patriots will need all of the help they can get on the backend of the defense to keep Pittsburgh’s receivers under lock and key.
While Phillips made the trip, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported second-year safety Joshuah Bledsoe is being ruled out with a groin injury.
The Patriots have downgraded reserve safety Joshuah Bledsoe (groin) to out for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Everyone else on the injury report — LT Trent Brown, LB Raekwon McMillan, S Adrian Phillips, RB Pierre Strong Jr. and CB Shaun Wade — still has a chance to go.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 17, 2022
This will be the first meeting between the Patriots and Steelers since 1998 that neither Tom Brady or Ben Roethlisberger were the starting quarterbacks. The expectations this time around is this game being more about defense and less about offense.
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