Patriots Injury Report: Team Relatively Healthy For Vikings Game
By Gregory Hunt
If there's one positive thing that came out of New England's 33-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, it's that the Patriots came out of the game without any major injuries. Six players with relatively minor injuries are listed on the Patriots injury report as New England's prepares to travel to Minnesota to meet the Vikings at TCF Stadium Sunday afternoon. Quarterback Tom Brady was listed on last week's report with a calf injury, but he does not appear on this week's report.
Michael Buchanan (DL)
Backup defensive lineman Michael Buchanan is battling an ankle injury that limited his participation in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He was inactive for the Week 1 game in Miami, so he will likely be inactive again for Minnesota. The Patriots played seven different defensive linemen against the Dolphins, so this depth will allow Buchanan to rest his ankle.
Jamie Collins (LB)
Linebacker Jamie Collins started last week against Miami and finished the game with eight tackles, but he was added the Patriots injury report this week with a thigh injury. The second-year player sat out practice on Wednesday, which was the first time in his career that he had missed a practice for injury-related reasons. He returned to practice on Thursday in a limited capacity, but he was not spotted on the field for practice Friday.
Rob Gronkowski (TE)
Star tight end Rob Gronkowski continues to recovery from the knee injury that ended his season last December. In limited snaps against Miami, he was effective enough to catch four passes for 40 yards and one touchdown, but he also committed a critical holding penalty. His participation in practice was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, and it remains to be seem how much more playing time he will get against Minnesota.
Chris Jones (DT)
Like his fellow lineman Buchanan, defensive tackle Chris Jones is suffering from an ankle injury. He was inactive against Miami, so he will likely be inactive again against Minnesota. He had limited participation in practice Wednesday and Thursday.
Sealver Siliga (DT)
An injury to Sealver Siliga's hand didn't keep him from seeing action against Miami, and he ended up making six tackles, more than anyone else on the Patriots defense except Collins and Jerod Mayo. Siliga missed three weeks of training camp this year when he broke that hand August 5 during joint practices with the Washington Redskins. He practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday and Thursday and should be active for Sunday's game.
Ryan Wendell (OL)
Reserve offensive lineman Ryan Wendell missed the second half of last week's game in Miami when he suffered a knee injury. He was one of six offensive lineman active for that game, so if he is inactive for the Minnesota game, the Patriots might activate either Josh Kline or rookie Bryan Stork. Wendell was limited at practice both Wednesday and Thursday.
Probable:
Sealver Siliga (hand)
Questionable:
Michael Buchanan (ankle)
Jamie Collins (thigh)
Rob Gronkowski (knee)
Chris Jones (ankle)
Ryan Wendell (Knee)
For more Patriots news and updates, visit Patriots Central.
Gregory Hunt is a Boston native and a life-long fan of the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics. He's also particularly fond of lacrosse, IndyCar racing and women's college basketball. He currently works for Examiner.com where he serves as the Senior Manager of Content and Media Access. He also writes for Examiner.com as the New England Patriots Examiner. His work can be found on Examiner.com.