New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola is almost certain to miss Thursday night's game against the New York Jets because of a groin injury, although it is too early to rule him out, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder.
Amendola and tight end Rob Gronkowski (back/forearm) officially are listed as doubtful on the team's injury report.
Amendola's likely absence was earlier reported by NFL.com.
Amendola and running back Shane Vereen (wrist) were not spotted at the Patriots' walk-through Tuesday morning. Later in the day, Vereen, who rushed for 101 yards against the Buffalo Bills in a 23-21 Week 1 victory, was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return.
Amendola turned in a 10-catch, 104-yard performance despite the injury. He had left Sunday's opener at the end of the second quarter but returned in the third.
When asked after the game about his availability for Thursday's home opener, Amendola said, "I just feel good about the win; that's all that really matters to me. We'll figure everything else out later."
Amendola has been managing a groin injury since the Patriots' Aug. 16 preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"We've got a lot of good players in the locker room, so when people are injured, that's why you have a deep roster, guys that are -- you have confidence in, you've gained trust in, and I certainly have that at the skill positions," quarterback Tom Brady said Tuesday.
"We have a lot of good running backs, we have a lot of good receivers; we're trying to do the best we can this week to go out and win a very challenging game against a very good team."
Receiver Julian Edelman, who had seven catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns Sunday, was asked Tuesday what he'd say to young players who need to step in for an injured player.
"You always have to be prepared. It's a violent game out there and you're always one play away. It's not like college, where you have a backup for your kicker, two different types of kickers, a holder, 14 receivers," Edelman said. "Everyone that is on the team is ultimately going to have to contribute at some time in the season. You have to always be prepared for your opportunity."
ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder, ESPNBoston.com's Field Yates and ESPN.com Patriots reporter Mike Reiss contributed to this report.