The New England Patriots set sights on the Miami Dolphins without seven.
Fullback Jack Westover, tight end Hunter Henry, guard Jared Wilson, defensive tackles Christian Barmore and Khyiris Tonga, as well as linebackers Harold Landry III and Robert Spillane stayed sidelined on New Year’s Eve in Foxborough.
But three returned to practice. Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was back in a non-contact jersey after spending last week in the NFL’s concussion protocol, while the 21-day windows opened for offensive
tackle Will Campbell and cornerback Alex Austin to be activated from injured reserve.
Here’s the first injury report ahead of Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. ET finale at Gillette Stadium.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
Patriots
- FB Jack Westover (ankle)
- TE Hunter Henry (knee)
- G Jared Wilson (concussion protocol)
- DT Christian Barmore (illness)
- DT Khyiris Tonga (foot)
- LB Harold Landry III (knee)
- LB Robert Spillane (ankle)
Dolphins
- RB De’Von Achane (shoulder)
- WR Jaylen Waddle (ribs)
- TE Darren Waller (groin)
- LB Chop Robinson (concussion protocol)
- LB Jordyn Brooks (hamstring)
- S Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf)
Last Sunday’s 42-10 win over the New York Jets did not include Wilson, Tonga, Landry and Spillane. Due to a concussion as well as foot, knee and ankle injuries, respectively, the four starters remained non-participants before being ruled out on the final injury report. The visit to MetLife Stadium saw the team’s fullback depart in the fourth quarter, while at tight end, Henry scored his seventh touchdown of the season and surpassed 700 receiving yards for the first time in his career.
Mike Vrabel shared during Wednesday’s press conference that Barmore, who is facing a domestic assault charge stemming Aug. 8, would miss the team’s in-stadium practice due to an illness. The Patriots head coach added that he hasn’t heard anything from the NFL that would keep the defensive tackle from playing in Week 18. The same status goes for wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who is facing charges of strangulation or suffocation and assault and battery from a Dec. 2 incident. Both legal cases are under review of the league’s personal conduct policy.
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
Patriots
- WR Kayshon Boutte (concussion protocol)
- OT Morgan Moses (not injury related — rest)
- OT Thayer Munford Jr. (illness)
- DT Milton Williams (ankle — IR return)
- LB K’Lavon Chaisson (illness)
- CB Alex Austin (wrist — IR return)
Dolphins
- G Aaron Brewer (neck)
- K Jason Sanders (right hip — IR return)
Boutte returned to practice as a limited participant after spending Week 17 in the league’s protocol. And across the ball from the wideout, Austin was available in that capacity, as well. A wrist injury had sent the cornerback to injured reserve late last month. He stands with 13 tackles, two starts and one pass deflection on the year and has handled 120 snaps on special teams.
An activation also awaits along the interior defensive line after New England went five contests without Williams. The four-year, $104 million signing saw his 21-day clock start last week yet remained on IR for the trip to East Rutherford.
FULL PARTICIPATION
Patriots
- WR DeMario Douglas (hamstring)
- OT Will Campbell (knee — IR return)
Dolphins
- OT Austin Jackson (back)
- LB K.J. Britt (groin)
After four games away, the Patriots had Campbell back at practice as a full participant. The No. 4 overall pick out of LSU started a dozen games on the blindside before sustaining an MCL sprain. His month-long absence sent veteran swing tackle Vederian Lowe into the lineup for 256 offensive snaps.
