The Patriots are placing starting LT Isaiah Wynn (knee), RB Rex Burkhead (knee) and NT Carl Davis (concussion) on injured reserve, according to ESPN's Field Yates. Burkhead confirmed his season is over. This is Davis' second time missing games due to a concussion. Wynn's future status is TBD.
New England, which hasn't had a losing record this late in the season since 2000, will likely have to win its final six games to make the playoffs.
The Patriots had safety JT Hassel (Florida Tech/Browns) and G Ross Reynolds (Iowa/49ers) in for a visit. Both are strong candidates to join the practice squad as this is the second time they have visited the team. The Patriots will also be without practice-squad LB Michael Pinckney, who is facing a six-game NFL suspension for undisclosed reasons.
Patriots injury report: OUT – LT Isaiah Wynn (knee); QUESTIONABLE – LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (groin), OLB Tashawn Bower (illness), DT Adam Butler (shoulder), DT Byron Cowart (back), DT Carl Davis (concussion), S Kyle Dugger (toe), K Nick Folk (back), CB Stephon Gilmore (hand), WR N'Keal Harry (shoulder), TE Ryan Izzo (hamstring, hand), G Shaq Mason (calf), ST Matthew Slater (knee), RB J.J. Taylor (quad), DT Lawrence Guy (shoulder, elbow, knee), G Joe Thuney (ankle).
A look back at three matchups in two years between Mahomes and Brady and ahead to what could be their final meeting.
— Malik Willis passed for three touchdowns in the first half and Liberty blanked winless UMass 45-0 on Friday, rebounding from a stinging one-point loss in its previous game.
When you arrive at practice and it is college fight-song day ... and the players love it.
Patriots WRs coach Mick Lombardi says N'Keal Harry got the short end of the stick on two penalties last week, as they were correct calls but were actually infractions by different players (Damiere Byrd and Jakobi Meyers).
Expect to see Patriots RB Sony Michel in action Sunday against the Cardinals. "He's had a couple good weeks. I think he'll be ready to go," Bill Belichick said on Friday morning.
— Wynston Tabbs had his first career double-double, Steffon Mitchell added 15 points and eight rebounds, and Boston College beat Rhode Island 69-64 on Thursday night at the 2K Empire Classic.
DB Kyle Dugger (toe), WR Matthew Slater (knee) and RB J.J. Taylor (quad) did not participate in the Patriots' practice on Thursday, according to the team's participation report. They join OLB Tashawn Bower (illness) and LT Isaiah Wynn (knee) as those not participating. Meanwhile, DT Carl Davis (concussion), who didn't practice Wednesday, was listed as a limited participant.
For the players on this list, the difference between a hot finish and a disappointing December amounts to millions in guaranteed money.
Patriots top draft pick Kyle Dugger has seen a significant increase in playing time the last two games, playing 56 and 46 snaps. That has almost matched his total playing time in the first eight games of the season combined (117 snaps). He has shown up as a strong run-force defender on the back side of plays, and also been tapped to cover tight ends which he says is "brand new" and something he's getting used to after not doing it in college.
Cowboys strength and conditioning coordinator Markus Paul, who was rushed to the hospital Tuesday morning after experiencing a medical emergency, has died, the team announced Wednesday. He was 54.
— Jeremiah Robinson-Earl had 18 points and 10 rebounds as No. 3 Villanova overcame a nine-point second-half deficit to beat Boston College 76-67 on Wednesday night in the first round of the Empire Classic
"Kyler is a person who is electric. You know, I've had the opportunity to see Lamar [Jackson], I've had the opportunity to play against, obviously, Deshaun [Watson] last week. Kyler this week, it's just fun to play against a guy like that. As well as knowing that the game is turning to that style of quarterback, who can not only attack you with their legs, but as well as – as potent with his legs as with his arm as well." — Cam Newton, on Kyler Murray and the changing look at QB across the NFL.
Patriots injury report: DID NOT PARTICIPATE – OLB Tashawn Bower (illness), RB Rex Burkhead (knee), DT Carl Davis (concussion), LT Isaiah Wynn (knee); LIMITED PARTICIATON – LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (groin), DT Adam Butler (shoulder), DT Byron Cowart (back), K Nick Folk (back), CB Stephon Gilmore (hand), DT Lawrence Guy (shoulder, elbow, knee), WR N'Keal Harry (shoulder), TE Ryan Izzo (hamstring, hand), G Shaq Mason (calf), ST Matthew Slater (knee), G Joe Thuney (ankle).
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 53 | 19 | .736 | - | W4 |
| Boston | 48 | 24 | .667 | 5 | L1 |
| Philadelphia | 43 | 30 | .589 | 10.5 | W1 |
| Brooklyn | 35 | 37 | .486 | 18 | L1 |
| New York | 21 | 45 | .318 | 29 | W1 |
