The New England Patriots released their Friday injury report, and there are some interesting names listed before the Houston Texans face them on Sunday Night Football.
The Week 13 injury report for the New England Patriots is one of interest as they have one player listed as out, that being tight end Ryan Izzo with an illness, and no players listed as doubtful.
On the questionable portion of the Patriots injury report for Friday, there were a total of 17 players listed with a variety of injury or illness issues, including players like safety Patrick Chung with a listing of illness, heel and chest injuries as he was limited in practice.
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There is also linebacker Jamie Collins listed with an illness issue, and wide receiver Phillip Dorsett was limited in practice with a concussion listing on the injury report. Julian Edelman was limited for the Patriots on Friday with a shoulder issue.
One player whom the Patriots will rely on this Sunday night is cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who was listed with an illness and was limited in practice. Gilmore will be tasked this week to stop Texans star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, which is a battle many fans of football can’t wait to see.
More high names are also on the injury report for Friday by the Patriots, including Dont’a Hightower with an illness, cornerback Jason McCourty (groin), wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (ankle), and linebacker Kyle Van Noy did not practice on Friday due to illness.
Though many of the Patriots have been battling an illness issue this week, the Texans need to take full advantage of this somehow, and maybe with Gilmore not being 100-percent with his illness problems this week, Deshaun Watson will challenge him more when he faces Hopkins in front of a national audience.
Seeing that Van Noy didn’t practice on Friday in another interesting aspect of the Patriots’ injury report. Van Noy is one of the better defensive players for New England. This season, the linebacker has 27 solo tackles, 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
In his most recent game on Nov. 24 against the Dallas Cowboys, Van Noy totaled five tackles (four solo) with one tackle for loss. In his past three games played, Van Noy has had no less than five total tackles in a game with five against the Philadelphia Eagles (all solo) and a sack, and on Nov. 3 he totaled six tackles (five solo) against the Baltimore Ravens.
No matter which players stay active for Sunday night, the Texans have a tough task ahead, even if some of them aren’t at 100-percent. The Texans have had their struggles against the Patriots in their history, but have played them close in recent memory.
As for Sunday night, New England’s final injury report before the game draws much interest, but the inactive report before the game will also be interesting to see as well.