Mostly Good News
Vrabel Not Listed After Late-Game Scare
The news isn't all that bad on the New England Patriots injury report this week. Perhaps most important is that linebacker Mike Vrabel is not listed after sustaining what looked like could have been a serious injury to his ankle, knee or neck.
Vrabel intercepted Detroit quarterback Jon Kitna in the closing moments of last week's 28-21 Patriots win and was buried on the sideline by a pair of Lions. He was squashed down on his right leg and remained on the field for several minutes before being helped limping to the bench. Speculation was that he may have twisted an ankle or a knee or may have been hit with a knee in the back of the neck.
The latter proved to be the case, and Vrabel was more or less back to normal in a couple days, but the prospects of New England losing another key defensive cog were none too appealing.
Otherwise, there is one fewer defensive back on the list, as Chad Scott, previously listed as "questionable" does not appear. Safety Eugene Wilson was downgraded from "questionable" and placed on injured reserve.
The list looks pretty familiar after that. Rookie wide receiver Chad Jackson, who was downgraded to "questionable" late last week and missed the Detroit game is listed as "questionable" this week, as is rookie running back Laurence Maroney, who left Sunday's game in the first quarter and is listed with a back problem.
Normally, these things would bother me, but unfortunately it's par for the course around here.
New England Patriots (9-3)
SS Rodney Harrison out (Shoulder)
FS Eugene Wilson out (Groin)
ILB Eric Alexander questionable (Shoulder)
ILB Don Davis questionable (Knee)
TE Daniel Graham questionable (Ankle)
CB Ellis Hobbs questionable (Wrist)
WR Chad Jackson questionable (Groin)
RB Laurence Maroney questionable (Back)
T Ryan O'Callaghan questionable (Neck)
QB Tom Brady probable (Shoulder)
LB Corey Mays probable (Hamstring)
DE Richard Seymour probable (Elbow)
Miami Dolphins (5-7)
RB Ronnie Brown out (Hand)
QB Daunte Culpepper out (Knee)
G Jeno James out (Knee)
CB Will Allen probable (Groin)
FB Sammy Morris probable (Ankle)
DE Jason Taylor probable (Forearm)
NT Keith Traylor probable (Knee)
WR Wes Welker probable (Shoulder)