Malcolm Mitchell Absent Again As Brady, Lewis Return To Patriots Practice
BOSTON (CBS) -- Tom Brady and Dion Lewis returned to the practice field for the Patriots on Thursday, but a second-straight absence for Malcolm Mitchell puts his status for Sunday's regular season finale in Miami in doubt.
A knee injury has sidelined the rookie receiver once again, making it unlikely he'll suit up against the Dolphins. Mitchell has been a big part of the New England offense over the last six weeks, catching 25 passes for 306 yards and all four of his touchdowns on the season.
As ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss pointed out on Twitter, Mitchell appears to have banged his knee in the third quarter of Saturday's win over the New York Jets:
This looks like the play WR Malcolm Mitchell had his knee banged (3Q, 6:57). Can see him flex it at end. pic.twitter.com/frOJaQavXI
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 29, 2016
If Mitchell cannot play on Sunday, it would thrust Michael Floyd into the No. 3 receiver spot on the depth chart behind Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan.
Danny Amendola was also missing from Thursday's practice, but wasn't expected to play with an ankle injury he suffered on December 4 against the Los Angeles Rams. Corner Cyrus Jones also missed Thursday's session with a knee injury, which limited his participation on Wednesday.
Brady missed Wednesday's practice with a thigh injury, which limited him for Thursday's session. Also limited on Thursday were tight end Martellus Bennett (ankle/shoulder), linebacker Dont'a Hightower (knee) and special teams captain Matthew Slater (foot).
Lewis was out with an illness but was removed from the injury report on Thursday.