New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots are preparing for their Week 6 matchup with the New Orleans Saints, and the vibes are high after the team’s statement win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 6. They need to shift their attention quickly, though, as four players have been ruled out for their upcoming game.
For the most part, the Pats have not been hit too hard by injuries this season, but their injury report was looking quite full ahead of this game. The status of several key players was up in the air heading into practice on Friday, and now we have some clarity as to who won’t be able to play in this game.
On its final injury report, New England ruled out four players for this game, as running back Antonio Gibson, safety Jaylinn Hawkins, linebacker Anfernee Jennings and defensive end Keion White all won’t be suiting up for this one.
Gibson’s absence isn’t surprising, as he reportedly tore his ACL in the team’s win over the Bills. Hawkins was dealing with a hamstring injury last week, and while he gutted it out in Week 5, he won’t be able to do so again. Both Jennings and White have been banged up, too, so the front seven on defense is going to be shorthanded in this one.
Elsewhere, Christian Gonzalez, Marte Mapu and Charles Woods are all questionable for this game. Of this trio, a potential absence from Gonzalez would be the biggest blow for New England, as their secondary has looked substantially better since his return to action.
At running back, Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson will split the work in Gibson’s absence, with Kyle Dugger and Dell Pettus set to earn more snaps at safety with Hawkins out. Harold Landry III and K’Lavon Chaisson will have to take on bigger roles, too, with White and Jennings out.
Even with these absences, the Patriots are going to be favored to take down the Saints. Kickoff for their Week 6 clash is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon, and if all goes according to plan, New England will walk away from this one with its third straight win.
