The New England Patriots began work on the Cincinnati Bengals with a handful of recent inactives back in attendance.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, tight end Austin Hooper,
defensive tackle Joshua Farmer and linebacker Christian Elliss all participated in Wednesday’s practice. There would be no non-participants in Foxborough coming out of the mini bye.
Here’s the first injury report ahead of Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Paycor Stadium.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
Patriots
- No players listed
Bengals
- RB Samaje Perine (ankle)
- G Jalen Rivers (knee, ankle)
- DE Trey Hendrickson (hip, pelvis)
- DE Cam Sample (oblique)
- CB Cam Taylor-Britt (foot)
Standout defensive lineman Milton Williams will spend at least the next four games on injured reserve after sustaining a high ankle sprain on the opening drive against the New York Jets. But head coach Mike Vrabel’s 53-man roster turned the page to the AFC North with perfect attendance otherwise. A handful sat out on the other side of preparations.
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
Patriots
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson (toe)
- TE Austin Hooper (concussion)
- OT Morgan Moses (not injury related — rest)
- DT Christian Barmore (not injury related — other)
- LB Harold Landry III (knee)
- LB K’Lavon Chaisson (ankle)
- LB Jahlani Tavai (not injury related — personal)
Bengals
- QB Joe Flacco (right shoulder)
- DE Cedric Johnson (ankle)
In the backfield, Stevenson briefly returned to practice last week before missing his third consecutive start due to a toe injury. As for Hooper, he was spotted by reporters in a red non-contact jersey on Wednesday while progressing through the NFL’s concussion protocol. The veteran tight end hadn’t stayed sidelined for a game since 2021 and stands with 13 catches for 171 yards and one touchdown on the season. Both were officially among seven limited participants.
FULL PARTICIPATION
Patriots
- RB Terrell Jennings (knee)
- WR Kayshon Boutte (hamstring)
- DT Joshua Farmer (ankle)
- LB Christian Elliss (hip)
Bengals
- QB Joe Burrow (toe — IR return)
- WR Jermaine Burton (illness)
- TE Mike Gesicki (pectoral — IR return)
- DE Joseph Ossai (ankle)
- S Daijahn Anthony (hamstring — IR return)
Managing a knee injury, Jennings served as New England’s emergency third running back last week. But what became a 27-14 AFC East win did not include Boutte or Elliss in uniform. The wide receiver as well as the linebacker were ruled out for the second time this November due to respective hamstring and hip issues. That was the case while Farmer, the rookie defensive tackle out Florida State, went from questionable to scratched 90 minutes prior to kickoff because of an ankle ailment.
And in Cincinnati, a trio of 21-day practice windows are open as the Patriots near town. At quarterback, Burrow has officially graduated to full participation. Wednesday marked his first 11-on-11 workload for the Bengals since being placed on injured reserve in September. The two-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year is working back from a Grade 3 turf toe injury that required surgery on his left foot.
