Week 3 injury report: Patriots looking significantly healthier ahead of Jets game

Multiple players returned to practice for the Patriots on Wednesday.

The New England Patriots looked significantly healthier on the practice field on Wednesday, ahead of what could be looked at as a must-win game against the New York Jets.

They released their injury report, and only two players were listed as non-participants with one being an excused absence for defensive lineman Davon Godchaux, who was in the delivery room with his fiancee.

Cornerback Jonathan Jones and left tackle Trent Brown were back on the field. Both missed last Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, and there’s hope they’ll be well enough to return for Week 3.

The one new name on the injured list as a limited participant is defensive lineman Christian Barmore with a knee injury. That could be something to keep an eye on over the next couple of days.

Here’s every player that appeared on the injury report on Wednesday:

Patriots’ top 10 offensive players in Week 2, per PFF grades

Here’s who topped the Patriots’ offense in Week 2.

The offensive frustrations continued for the New England Patriots in Sunday’s run-in with the division rival Miami Dolphins. Like the season opener, it was a hot-and-cold performance from quarterback Mac Jones and company in Week 2.

The unit got off to a horrific start with two turnovers—an interception thrown by Jones and a drive-killing fumble by rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas.

But then there were moments of hope with Jones stepping up and making big-time throws to keep the team in the game. The biggest issue throughout the matchup was the offensive line struggles and the lack of separation from receivers at certain points.

It’s one of those performances where the Patriots can take the little good away and go back to the drawing board for Week 3. But whatever changes are coming need to happen fast with the team already in a two-game hole to start the season.

Here are the top-10 offensive players in Week 2, per Pro Football Focus grades:

Patriots Week 2 inactives: Jonathan Jones OUT, Mike Onwenu IN vs Dolphins

Jonathan Jones, Trent Brown and five others have been ruled out for Sunday’s game.

There was a mixture of good and bad news with the New England Patriots inactives list ahead of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

Let’s start with the good news.

The Patriots will have their two starting guards, Mike Onwenu and Cole Strange, available for the first time in the season. Wide receiver DeVante Parker will also be active in the game.

However, New England will be without top cornerback Jonathan Jones and rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. That will leave rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez and second-year defensive back Marcus Jones as the top players tasked with defending Dolphins wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Left tackle Trent Brown being out is also a big problem for the Patriots. Along with rookie offensive lineman Sidy Sow, Brown has been listed with a concussion throughout the practice week. So there were doubts he’d suit up and play.

The Patriots already have Calvin Anderson manning the right tackle position. So it’ll be interesting to see how they cover up the huge vacancy in the protection role for quarterback Mac Jones’ blindside.

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Patriots-Dolphins game day poll: Who wins on Sunday night?

Who wins on Sunday between the Patriots and Dolphins?

[polldaddy poll=12770266]

The New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins get the Sunday Night Football spotlight treatment at Gillette Stadium in Week 2.

Quarterback Mac Jones and the Patriots offense came alive in the season opener and nearly knocked off the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles. Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ passing offense, which is spearheaded by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, went full-on scorched Earth mode on the Los Angeles Chargers.

But can they keep it up against coach Bill Belichick’s mighty defense?

It’s the same defense that held the Eagles’ high-flying passing attack to only 154 yards. However, things will be harder than ever when trying to slow down Miami’s speedy wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

The Dolphins might have equally as hard of a time in slowing down the Patriots’ rushing attack. Patriots offensive guard Mike Onwenu is reportedly expected to return, and Cole Strange is questionable.

The offensive line being intact for the Patriots could boost the rushing attack against a Dolphins defense that gave up 233 yards and three touchdowns on the ground against the Chargers. This could be a game where the Patriots lean on running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott to slow the pace of the game and pound the Dolphins into submission.

Who wins on Sunday and why? You can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Report: Patriots’ best offensive lineman expected to return vs Dolphins

The Patriots could be getting a major boost on the offensive line against the Dolphins on Sunday.

Reinforcements could be on the way for the New England Patriots’ makeshift offensive line.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Patriots’ starting offensive guard Mike Onwenu, who missed all of the preseason with an ankle injury, could be preparing to make his 2023 regular season debut against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Barring a surprise, the Patriots are reportedly expecting Onwenu to be available to play in the game.

That’s big news coming a week after the team used a mixture of rookies Atonio Mafi and Sidy Sow to cover up the holes at guard in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Cole Strange, the Patriots’ other starting guard, was listed as questionable on the injury report, which means there’s a chance he’ll suit up and play as well. Onwenu is one of the best guards in the league and clearly the Patriots’ best offensive lineman, period.

The timing of Onwenu’s potential return couldn’t have been better considering the Patriots will be facing a Dolphins defense that showed serious vulnerabilities in stopping the run in Week 1.

They gave up a whopping 233 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Los Angeles Chargers. That should mean plenty of work for Patriots running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott. Onwenu and Strange potentially being back to lead the way as blockers could be game-changing for New England.

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8 burning questions for Patriots ahead of Week 2 matchup vs Dolphins

8 burning questions facing the Patriots heading into a pivotal matchup with the Dolphins.

There are plenty of questions facing the New England Patriots ahead of their Week 2 divisional showdown with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Such is the case for a team coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last week. The possibility of starting 0-2 on the season is a scary thought for a Patriots team with the hardest schedule in the NFL this year.

Can they turn it around against Miami?

The Patriots Wire staff already gave their predictions on the matchup, and unlike last week’s game, most have the Patriots winning. Let’s delve deeper into some burning questions still facing New England heading into Week 2.

Patriots Week 2 injury report: Top CB limited at Thursday’s practice

CB Jonathan Jones was the newest addition to the Patriots’ growing injury list.

The New England Patriots were back on the practice field on Thursday, and injuries are still clearly an issue for the team, despite only being in Week 2 of the regular season.

Top cornerback Jonathan Jones was the newest addition to the injury report, which also included the entire Patriots’ starting offensive line. Jones is dealing with an ankle injury and was listed as a limited participant at practice.

For a second straight day, offensive tackle Trent Brown and lineman Sidy Sow were the only two players that did not participate.

Here is the full list of players named in the injury report for Thursday’s practice.

 

Patriots remain mum on health of Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu

There weren’t any new updates on the health statuses of Mike Onwenu and Cole Strange.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick did not give a definite prognosis on the injury statuses of offensive guards Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu. According to Belichick, both players are still considered “day-to-day” heading into the Week 2 matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

Both players were not available for Sunday’s opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. They were listed as questionable last Friday and were deactivated 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

This is certainly not the best piece of news, given that the two players have been battling injuries since the preseason. Strange has been sidelined by a left leg injury he suffered during a training camp practice on July 31. Onwenu has been dealing with an ankle injury following offseason ankle surgery.

Both players are crucial to the success of the offensive line. Patriots fans hope they see them back sooner rather than later with a difficult stretch in the schedule coming up.

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Patriots Week 2 injury report: More injuries at OL and WR

The offensive line and wide receiver positions continue to take hits in the Patriots’ latest injury report.

The New England Patriots released their first injury report ahead of their Week 2 showdown with the Miami Dolphins, and things are scarier than ever before on the offensive side of the ball.

Multiple players, including offensive linemen and wide receivers, were listed as either limited participants or non-participants at Wednesday’s practice.

Health has been an issue for the offensive line throughout training camp and the preseason. Unfortunately for the Patriots, those issues have lingered into the regular season with both starting guards, Mike Onwenu and Cole Strange, working their way back from injuries.

But those concerns were compounded in the recent report with three more names on the list. The same could be said about wide receiver with DeVante Parker working his way back from a knee injury.

Here is the full list of players on Wednesday’s injury report:

Key Patriots starter missing at open part of Wednesday’s practice

There was another missing offensive lineman for the Patriots at the open portion of Wednesday’s practice.

The New England Patriots are battling injury problems on the offensive line, and that was evident at practice on Wednesday. Left tackle Trent Brown was absent during the open media portion of Wednesday’s practice, per a report from NESN.com’s Zack Cox.

Guards Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu were back at practice. That is certainly positive news. However, coach Bill Belichick indicated the pair are still considered day-to-day.

The depth at the offensive line position and the uncertain statuses of key players is something to monitor. Both Onwenu and Strange missed the Week 1 opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, and that paved the way for rookies Atonio Mafi and Sidy Sow to step in and contribute big minutes.

The Patriots aren’t a team in a position to deal with more injury blows to an offensive line that’s already beaten up. So the health of Onwenu, Strange and even Brown could be huge down the road.

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