List Getting Longer .. Again
Patriots Injuries Are A Mounting Concern
With just three weeks to the playoffs, the New England Patriots are enduring a chaos the likes to which we are mostly unaccostomed. Sure, our boys have experienced severe depletion in the past. We've seen them go through slumps. But this? Not only so many different types of problems, but so late in the year?
Wide receiver Doug Gabriel released for inefficiency after Week 13! Another player (running back Patrick Pass) placed on injured reserve. Replacement players already listed on the injury report. And that's to say nothing of the offensive turnovers, general penalties, and, most important, poor offensive line play.
If there's any good news -- and it's not much, but we'll take it -- it's that safety Rodney Harrison has been upgraded to "doubtful". "Upgraded to 'doubtful'. Doesn't sound too spectacular, but that's good news.
There's a lot more bad. Things don't look good for tight end Ben Watson. There has been rampant speculation that he could be gone for the season. Vince Wilfork is listed as "questionable", but is expected to be held out Sunday against Houston. Key rookies Chad Jackson and Laurence Maroney are still listed as "questionable" as well.
I'm not sure this "cakewalk" part of the schedule is going to be all that easy, all things considered.
Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts injury list keeps getting shorter. The fewer players they have listed, the fewer games they win. And now they have a legitimate injury with wide receiver Brandon Stokley out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
Is that karma, Kramer?
New England Patriots (9-4)
ILB Don Davis out (Knee-Placed On IR)
FB Patrick Pass out (Hamstring-Placed on IR)
SS Rodney Harrison doubtful (Shoulder)
ILB Eric Alexander questionable (Shoulder)
FS Rashad Baker questionable (Thigh)
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)
TE Benjamin Watson questionable (Knee)
NT Vince Wilfork questionable (Ankle)
DE Mike Wright questionable (Shoulder)
QB Tom Brady probable (Right Shoulder)
LB Corey Mays probable (Hamstring)
DE Richard Seymour probable (Elbow)
Houston Texans (4-9)
FB Jameel Cook out (Knee)
FS C.C. Brown doubtful (Foot)
C Drew Hodgdon probable (Foot)
WR Jerome Mathis probable (Groin)
DE Anthony Weaver probable (Knee)
DE Mario Williams probable (Foot)