FOXBOROUGH, Mass — The New England Patriots already had a tough task ahead of them this weekend against the Buffalo Bills, but it just got a lot harder as they will be without two key starters. However, there was a positive update with Drake Maye, as the quarterback's shoulder injury has been a large focus of the week.
Here's what I'm hearing at Gillette Stadium:
Two key defenders ruled out
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive tackle Christian Barmore were both absent from practice on Friday, marking their third missed practice of the week. And with that, it put their status for Sunday in serious doubt. Then, an hour later, Vrabel provided an update.
"Neither Christian will be up this week. Both those guys, [Christian] Barmore and Gonzalez, will be out," he told reporters.
"That’ll be the only ones that will have an out designation. There will be some others listed as questionable later."
It's certainly not ideal for the Patriots to be without two of their top defenders against Josh Allen and a tough Buffalo Bills team.
"Well, again, that is just what the situation is," Vrabel explained. "There’s nothing we can do about it. We can make sure that the guys that are playing are ready and that we continue to do the things that we know are going to help us. But that happens every week in the National Football League. I’m looking forward to seeing the guys that are going to play in there."
As for who will fill in at cornerback, Vrabel said it will be a mix of guys.
"Charles will get some snaps in there. I think we’ll mix around some guys," he said. "Marcus [Jones] will play outside, inside a little bit. I think Karon's [Prunty] done a really nice job on special teams and so if he’s asked to play on defense, he’ll be ready to go."
Mike Vrabel provides more clarity on Drake Maye's shoulder injury
When speaking with reporters on Monday, head coach Mike Vrabel said he wasn't aware of any issue with Drake Maye's shoulder, but then on Wednesday, he popped up on the injury report. So what happened there?
"I’ve explained it -- we’re just trying to follow the protocol exactly how it’s given to us as it relates to the injury report and the way that we report it," Vrabel said. "The fact that it’s a quarterback, I think that those things get looked at very closely. So again, we want to make sure that we’re transparent. So, we listed him on the injury report after he went through the normal game day protocol, post game. Then we put on the reps that he missed -- which was none.
"There were no limitations, so he practiced full – he didn’t miss any reps. But we just felt like it was best to list it just to make sure that we are doing everything that we’re supposed to do from a protocol standpoint."
Vrabel added that the injury seemed to have happened during the Jacksonville Jaguars game, but the quarterback was taken off the injury report on Friday with no game designation, signaling he's a full go.
"Again, if he’s on the injury report, I’m sure that at some point in time he got treatment," He added. "So that’s why we listed him on the injury report."
Decision has been made at right guard
When the Patriots lost Mike Onwenu at right guard, it was Greg Van Roten who stepped in. However, the veteran offensive lineman went down in the team's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and was placed on injured reserve. In that game, he was replaced by Walter Rouse, but it was clear Rouse struggled against a tough Jacksonville front.
So, during the week, Vrabel had both Rouse and Ben Brown repping in that spot, as well as bringing in veteran offensive lineman Matt Pryor, signing him off the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad. But after a full week of practice, Vrabel made his decision.
"I would probably anticipate Ben Brown starting out there," he said. "I think Walter [Rouse] will have to be ready to go. I think that we will see where we are with Matt Pryor coming over from Arizona, whether we feel like he could potentially help us at the game or be available for the game. I think that’s something that we still have to decide here as he works into the communication, the system, going on the road, and then if not, we’ll have to look to elevate somebody potentially."
When speaking with Patriots Wire, Brown said he's ready for the tough task.
"I feel very prepared," Brown said. "I feel like it was a great week of practice, and I've played guard throughout my career, so I'm ready for whatever."
Other notes
- Morgan Moses returned to practice for the first time this week on Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Reggie Gilliam, who was out on Wednesday but missed Thursday's session, returned to the field and is also listed as questionable.
- OUT: DT Christian Barmore - Shoulder (DNP), CB Christian Gonzalez - Shoulder (DNP)QUESTIONABLE: CB Channing Canada - Hamstring (LP), LB Christian Elliss - Chest (LP), FB Reggie Gilliam - Knee (LP), LB Dre'Mont Jones - Shoulder (LP), T Morgan Moses - Foot (LP), TE Eli Raridon - Thigh (LP), S Craig Woodson - Shoulder (LP)
- Mike Vrabel on OL Matt Pryor: "He has played a lot of games in this league. He’s got great size. He’s played, so, he has good veteran ability. He’s seen a lot of things. He’s smart. He’s played a lot of football."
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: What I’m hearing at Gillette Stadium: Friday talk (Week 4)
