Category: Patriots News

Mohamed Sanu, Phillip Dorsett, Jason McCourty inactive for Week 12 vs. Cowboys

A rough situation at WR.

The New England Patriots will be without two of their top wideouts for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12.

Receivers Mohamed Sanu (ankle) and Phillip Dorsett (concussion) will not play. The Patriots will instead look to their rookie receivers in N’Keal Harry, a 2019 first-round pick who missed the first half of the season with an ankle injury, and Jakobi Meyers, who went undrafted. Both players seem to be coming along slowly.

Tackle Isaiah Wynn will make his return from injury, which is likely to bump Marshall Newhouse out of the left tackle spot. Wynn, who the Patriots drafted in the first round in 2018, hasn’t played since Week 2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   when he departed from the game with a toe injury, which landed him on injured reserve for eight games. Safety Patrick Chung is also making his return after missing Week 11.

The rest of the Patriots’ inactives are as follows: offensive lineman Korey Cunningham, running back Damien Harris, quarterback Cody Kessler, cornerback Jason McCourty and tight end Ryan Izzo. McCourty is another surprise — he cropped up on the injury report with a groin injury on Friday when he was limited in practice.

Here’s a look at the Cowboys’ inactives, which include star linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.

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Report: Tom Brady wasn’t able to finish practice on Friday with elbow pain

Tom Brady’s elbow injury could be worse than the Patriots originally thought. 

Tom Brady’s elbow injury could be worse than the New England Patriots originally thought.

He was listed as questionable heading into New England’s Week 12 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys with pain in his right elbow. Although Brady was listed as questionable, he was still expected to play and said that the injury was minor. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported before the game on Sunday that Brady couldn’t finish out practice on Friday because of the injury.

“My understanding is he was not able to finish practice due to elbow pain on Friday,” Rapoport said. “Jarrett Stidham, the backup, took the majority of the reps throughout the practice.”

This could just be precautionary measures, but it’s something worth monitoring. The Patriots are dealing with numerous injuries on the offensive side of the ball, including Phillip Dorsett and Mohamed Sanu. Dorsett was ruled out before the game and Sanu is a game-time decision.

Brady will have rainy conditions and only Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers and Matthew Slater as wide receiver. This game will likely be sloppy and probably run-heavy.

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6 things Patriots fans should know about the Cowboys

The Cowboys present the Patriots their toughest opponent at home so far.

The Dallas Cowboys are coming to Gillette Stadium this Sunday for a Week 12 matchup against the New England Patriots. It will be a battle between America’s Team (Dallas) and America’s Most Hate Team (New England). The Cowboys have won three of their last four games, scoring at least 35 points in all three of those wins. The Patriots vaunted defense will be battle-tested once again vs. one of the top offensive teams in the entire NFL.

Here are six things New England fans should know before kickoff:

1. Dak Prescott is legit.

Dak Prescott is enjoying the best season of his four-year career so far. Boasting a league-leading 3,221 passing yards through 10 games, Prescott is well on pace to break his previous career-best 3,885 passing yards from last season. He has thrown for at least 395 yards the last two weeks, with a 444-yard performance in Week 11 vs. Detroit.

Even though Prescott has already thrown nine interceptions, tied for fifth-most in the league, he is proving he’s more than capable of leading the Cowboys offense. Prescott owns a 21-to-9 touchdown-interception ratio.

2. Can Stephon Gilmore and the Patriots secondary shutdown the Dallas receiver unit?

A reason why Prescott is having so much success this season is because of the receivers he’s throwing to.

The Dallas receiver unit is explosive with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. The Cooper-Gallup combo is just one of three receiver-duos to find themselves in the top 20 for receiving leaders in the league. Cooper has the fourth-most receiving yards with 886 yards while Gallup is no. 20 with 678 yards. Both are big play threats, so Stephon Gilmore, Devin McCourty and the rest of the New England secondary should have their hands full trying to shut them down.

3. Add in Ezekiel Elliot and the Cowboys present the toughest opponent the Patriots have faced at home.

When the Cleveland Browns came to Gillette Stadium in Week 8 with Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr., and Nick Chubb, there was a lot of talk that they might have had what it took to beat the Patriots. It did not take long for those thoughts to be put to rest.

Dallas presents New England with its toughest test yet in Foxboro. Not only do the Cowboys have the best aerial attack in the league, they have a stud running back in Ezekiel Elliot. In his fourth season, Elliot has ran for 833 yards and seven touchdowns through Dallas’ first 10 games.

4. The Cowboys defense presents another top-10 defense for the Patriots offense.

Last week it was the Philadelphia Eagles and their no. 9 ranked defense that provided Tom Brady and the New England offense a challenge. The Dallas defense is even tougher, ranked seventh in the league in least yards allowed per game at 322.1. In addition, the Cowboys allow 19.7 points per game, good for ninth-least in the league.

Fortunately for the Patriots, Dallas middle linebacker Leighton Vander Esch has been ruled for Sunday. New England’s offensive line will have to stop another Cowboys middle linebacker in Jaylon Smith, who is tied for seventh in the league with 90 tackles. Defensive end Robert Quinn is another force amongst the defense, leading the team with 8.5 sacks.

5. When was the last time Dallas came to New England?

Like most NFC teams, it’s often quite some time that the Cowboys travel to Foxboro. The last time Dallas came to town was eight years ago when the Patriots beat them 20-16 in a Week 6 tilt.

Tony Romo, who is a lead commentator for CBS, was the Cowboys quarterback in the contest and outside of Tom Brady, the two rosters are mostly completely different.

6. Will Dallas finally beat the Patriots?

New England has won its last five games against the Cowboys, dating back to 1999. The last time Dallas won was in a 12-6 victory all the way back in 1996. Shockingly, the game featured the only remaining active NFL player from that game in 46-year-old kicker Adam Vinatieri.

Patriots vs. Cowboys: Time, TV schedule and how to stream online

How to watch Patriots vs. Cowboys

The New England Patriots (9-1) will head back home to face the Dallas Cowboys (6-4) in Week 12.

New England has relied heavily on its defense this season and is heading into this game with more injuries on the offensive side of the ball. Phillip Dorsett and Mohamed Sanu are shaken up and Tom Brady has been dealing with a lingering elbow injury. The Patriots will return left tackle Isaiah Wynn against Dallas, and that’ll turn out to be a huge positive.

Dallas has had an up-and-down season, but they have an elite offensive trio with Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliot and Amari Cooper. This game will be a huge test for the Patriots — who will have to continue their defensive excellence. The Cowboys will come into Gillette Stadium with a must-win mentality and they’ll be a handful for the injury-riddled Patriots.

Here’s how to watch:

Game information:

New England Patriots vs Dallas Cowboys

Sunday, Nov. 24, 4:25 p.m. ET

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA

Streaming:

Live stream: fuboTV (try it free).

Television channels:

FOX

WFXT Channel 25

Broadcasters:

Joe Buck  (play-by-play)

Troy Aikman (play-by-play)

Erin Andrews (sideline)

Radio:

Sirius XM: 83 (NE)

98.5 The Sports Hub

Weather:

52 degrees, 100 percent chance of rain

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Report: Tom Brady to play Sunday despite questionable status on injury report

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was limited in Friday’s practice, but will play against the Dallas Cowboys, according to multiple reports.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was limited in practice on Friday, making his status for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys questionable.

But, and perhaps as expected, multiple reports have surfaced saying Brady will play on Sunday. It appears the injury is not serious.

Brady was one of 12 Patriots to be listed as questionable including teammates Julian Edelman (shoulder), Mohomed Sanu (ankle), Matthew Slater (hamstring), John Simon (elbow), Jason McCourty (groin), Marcus Cannon (illness), Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee), Patrick Chung (heel/chest), Phillip Dorsett (concussion), Nate Eber (ankle/back) and Damien Harris (hamstring).

The 9-1 Patriots will host the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium at 4:25 p.m.

Tom Brady among 12 Patriots listed as questionable for Week 12

A downgrade for Brady on Friday.

The New England Patriots had a sizable injury report on Friday for their Week 12 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium. The headliner was quarterback Tom Brady, who was questionable with a right elbow issue. He was new to the injury report on Friday and was limited in practice. He is expected to play, per NFL Network.

Brady was among 12 Patriots listed as questionable including tackle Marcus Cannon (illness), safeties Patrick Chung (heel/chest) and Nate Ebner (ankle/back), receivers Phillip Dorsett (concussion), Julian Edelman (shoulder), Mohamed Sanu (ankle) and Matthew Slater (hamstring), cornerback Jason McCourty (groin), running back Damien Harris (hamstring), defensive end John Simon (elbow), linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee).

Sanu and Dorsett were upgraded over the course of the week after missing practice on Wednesday. However, the Patriots had a handful of late additions to the injury report, including Brady, Cannon, McCourty and Slater — all of who are starters.

The Patriots kick off against the Cowboys on Sunday at 4:25 p.m.

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Bill Belichick delivers quip about ‘Ouija board’ when asked about injured players

“I’m not gonna sit here and try to Oujia board it.”

There are few things Bill Belichick likes discussing less than the statuses of his injured players. The New England Patriots coach consistently dodges questions about whether an injured player will or won’t play on Sunday.

But the Patriots had a pair of notable players with issues this week, which necessitated questions about those players. Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (ankle) hasn’t practiced, while wideout Phillip Dorsett (concussion) didn’t practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday. Does Belichick have a sense of whether those top wideouts will play against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12?

“I have a sense, yeah,” Belichick grinned during his press conference on Friday morning at Gillette Stadium. “We’ll share it when the injury report comes out after practice. We’ll make sure you get a copy.”

When the reporter attempted to ask a follow-up, the coach continued.

“No point in guessing on them,” he said. “Might as well go out in practice and see what they can do and then make an accurate report. I’m not going to sit here and try to Oujia board it here this morning and tell you how a guy is going to feel before he’s gone out there and done anything. That would be irresponsible on my part.”

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Marcus Cannon not present for start of practice in Week 12

Another question mark at tackle?

New England Patriots tackle Marcus Cannon was not present for the media portion of practice on Friday during Week 12 in the team’s final practice in preparation for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Cannon had not been listed on the injury report earlier this week.

Receivers Mohamed Sanu (ankle) and Phillip Dorsett (concussion) were present for practice. But it’s unclear at what level they were participating. Sanu, for example, was present at practice on Wednesday but didn’t participate. He also missed Thursday’s practice. Dorsett, meanwhile, was upgraded to limited on Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday.

Tackle Isaiah Wynn was present for practice. He has not been on the injury report this week, which bodes well for a potential return to the field on Sunday. He could take over for tackle Marshall Newhouse.

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Bill Belichick praises Isaiah Wynn ahead of potential return

“Yeah, he’s working hard. He’s always ready to go.”

Tom Brady may have a new blindside blocker when the New England Patriots play the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

Patriots left tackle Isaiah Wynn is eligible to return to the game day active roster this weekend after coming off injured reserve earlier this week. As we saw with receiver N’Keal Harry, who was a healthy scratch in his first week after returning from IR, the Patriots don’t always rush their players back into action. Belichick wouldn’t commit to playing Wynn on Sunday.

“Isaiah always works hard,” Belichick said during a press conference on Friday at Gillette Stadium. “He did a lot of scout team work to get timing back, so working against the defense. Yeah, he’s working hard. He’s always ready to go.”

Wynn would replace tackle Marshall Newhouse, who has been serving as the team’s left tackle in Wynn’s absence. Belichick praised Newhouse’s play on Monday, but the left tackle has struggled while allowing consistent pressure to get to Brady over the last few weeks. Wynn’s return would be a welcome sight for the offense. But his presence on game day will depend upon how his body is responding to his increased workload at practice this week.

“We’ll see how it goes today,” Belchick said. “We’ll see how things turn out after the first two days. Sometimes, when guys do a little more, they are good. Sometimes, they are a little sore, so maybe there’s a little — I don’t want to say setback. But maybe things doesn’t always come together as quickly as it might in other cases.”

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Reports: Patriots don’t intend to re-sign Antonio Brown

Antonio Brown is back in the conversation surrounding the Patriots.

The New England Patriots have no intention of reuniting with receiver Antonio Brown, according to NBC Sports Boston and The Athletic. WEEI’s Christian Fauria suggested the Patriots “kicked the tires” on Brown. However, it appears New England will steer clear of the receiver, who spent 10 days with the Patriots in 2019.

Just days after the Patriots signed Brown, he faced allegations of sexual assault and rape in a civil suit. Another accuser emerged just a few days after that with accusations of sexual harassment. The Patriots cut Brown before he got the chance to play his second game with the team.

The NFL is staging an investigation into the allegations and accusations against Brown. He met with the league earlier this week, and apologized to Patriots owner Robert Kraft on Tuesday, likely in reference to an outburst on social media after the Patriots cut Brown.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked Wednesday if he’s keeping tabs on the league’s investigation into Brown, who is currently a free agent and is not facing league discipline.

“You’d have to ask Robert about that,” Belichick said on Wednesday at Gillette Stadium during a press conference. “I mean, every week you guys ask me about a player that’s not on our team, so every week it’s going to be the same answer.”

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