The New England Patriots returned to the practice fields without two starters.
Rookie guard Jared Wilson and veteran outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson were absent from Wednesday’s practice in Foxborough.
But cornerback Christian Gonzalez continued as a limited participant.
The 2024 All-Pro, sidelined by a hamstring injury since July, is slated to make his 2025 debut versus the Carolina Panthers after being downgraded from questionable last weekend.
Here’s the first injury report leading up to Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
Patriots
- G Jared Wilson (ankle, knee)
- LB K’Lavon Chaisson (knee)
Panthers
- WR Tetairoa McMillan (calf)
- WR Xavier Legette (hamstring)
- WR Hunter Renfrow (not injury related — personal)
- TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (ankle)
- DT Tershawn Wharton (hamstring)
- LB D.J. Wonnum (hip)
- LB Patrick Jones II (hamstring)
The No. 95 overall pick in April’s NFL draft hasn’t missed an offensive snap this September. But Wilson did come up limping at left guard last Sunday at Gillette Stadium and is working through ankle and knee injuries. Also a non-participant across the line of scrimmage, Chaisson is dealing with a knee issue of his own. The former Panther stands 1.5 sacks into his stay with the Patriots.
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
Patriots
- CB Christian Gonzalez (hamstring)
- DT Christian Barmore (not injury related — rest)
Panthers
- RB Rico Dowdle (not injury related — rest)
- OT Taylor Moton (not injury related — rest)
- CB Jaycee Horn (not injury related — rest)
“Excited about his efforts and willingness to get back, work hard and practice last week,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters of No. 0 on Wednesday. “And again, made a decision — I made a decision — at the end of the week that just I think he needed a little bit more time. That’s what happens when you start this return to play. You practice, you work hard and see how you respond, and then make a decision if that player is ready for a football game. We felt like he probably needed a little bit more time, and hopefully he’ll be ready to go.”
FULL PARTICIPATION
Patriots
- WR Mack Hollins (hand)
- TE Hunter Henry (knee)
- LB Anfernee Jennings (hamstring)
- LB Marte Mapu (neck)
- CB Carlton Davis III (Achilles)
Panthers
- No players listed
Five Patriots worked through ailments to practice in full on Wednesday. Count a tenured captain at tight end among them. Henry, managing a knee injury, posted a team-high 90 receiving yards in last weekend’s 21-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He twice visited the end zone. It marked the fifth two-touchdown game of an NFL career that dates back to 2016.
