Patriots final practice before Jets game brings good, bad news
FOXBORO — The Patriots remain banged up ahead of Sunday afternoon’s matchup with the Jets, but one player did shed his red non-contact jersey in a hurry this week.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson (concussion) was back in his normal white practice jersey, which indicates that he’ll have a chance to play in Week 17 against the Jets. Head coach Mike Vrabel will provide more information on injuries around 2 p.m.
Outside linebacker Harold Landry (knee), linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle), wide receivers Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen), defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, and left guard Jared Wilson (concussion) remained out of pratice.
If Henderson can’t play on Sunday, the Patriots have Rhamondre Stevenson and D’Ernest Johnson on their 53-man roster and Elijah Mitchell and Jashaun Corbin on their practice squad. Mitchell, a former 49er and Chief, has loads of experience if the Patriots need to call on him.
Landry has been banged up since midseason. The Patriots might need to call on Anfernee Jennings or Elijah Ponder to take on a starter’s share of snaps in his potential absence. The team also has Bradyn Swinson on the 53-man roster. Linebacker Jahlani Tavai and defensive tackle Milton Williams, who’s been designated to return off injured reserve but has not yet been activated, also have experience on the edge.
Spillane’s absence will continue to test the Patriots’ depth at linebacker, where they have Tavai, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens and Marte Mapu on the 53-man roster, and Amari Gainer and Otis Reese on the practice squad.
Rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism could take on bigger roles with Boutte and Hollins banged up. Williams made a brilliant touchdown catch in last week’s win over the Ravens. Chism has yet to catch his first NFL pass. Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas round out the wide receiver depth chart. The team also has Jeremiah Webb, John Jiles and newcomer Brandon Smith on the practice squad.
If Williams can return, that offsets the loss of Tonga. Christian Barmore, Cory Durden and Eric Gregory are on the 53-man roster. The team also has defensive tackles Leonard Taylor, Jeremiah Pharms and Fabien Lovett on the practice squad.
Finally, with Jared Wilson almost certaintly out, Ben Brown will likely be called on to start again this week. He was just given a two-year contract extension this week. The team also signed guard/center Brenden Jaimes off the practice squad to provide depth along with Caedan Wallace, Marcus Bryant and Thayer Munford behind Vederian Lowe, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses.
