The New England Patriots dropped to 4-3 on the year and out of the current AFC playoff picture with their loss to the Chicago Bears on Thursday night. However, not all was bad: the injury-ravaged team received a much-needed reprieve.
In fact, there were only two noticeable injuries after rewatching the contest.
Patriots injury analysis: NFL Week 7
S Kevin Byard III: Early in the second quarter, the veteran safety had to be checked out by trainers on the field due to an apparent left shoulder injury. He subsequently jogged off the field under
his own power and into the blue medical tent, but reemerged after a brief evaluation. Byard ended up missing just four snaps before his return. He ended the game with a 94% playing time share, not missing any other reps down the stretch.
DT Christian Barmore: Barmore made what could have been one of the biggest plays of the game in the late fourth quarter, sacking Caleb Williams for a 10-yard loss. Unfortunately, the play did not end up mattering — kicker Cairo Santos kicked a career-long field goal to effectively ice the game — while the sixth-year defensive tackle remained on the ground afterwards: he had landed awkwardly on his right hand and required medical assistance. Barmore walked off the field and with the Patriots playing no more defensive snaps did not get an opportunity to reenter the game.
What this means for the Patriots
While the injuries to both Kevin Byard and Christian Barmore could have been potentially concerning, it appears neither will be a long-term issue. Byard returned to the game, while head coach Mike Vrabel said about Barmore on Monday that “he’ll be fine.” Him and Barmore both being present at practice on Monday is concrete proof of that.
For the Patriots, especially considering that they were on a short week, this is definitive good news. The team, after all, had at least lost some starters or key reserves to injury in almost every game this season so far.
Now heading into a Week 8 contest against the Miami Dolphins off a mini-bye, they seemingly are trending in the right direction again. No major injuries were added on Thursday, while the team is getting healthier — as evidenced by the fact that guard Ben Brown (knee) also was back on the practice fields on Monday.
The first injury report of the week will be published on Wednesday afternoon, and give more information about the current state of the team. Kickoff between the Patriots and Dolphins at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.
