Pats Pulpit
Game statuses heading into Week 16 at Highmark Stadium.
The New England Patriots will visit the AFC East champions down two.
Running back JaMycal Hasty and cornerback Marcus Jones have been ruled out ahead of the Buffalo Bills matchup. Due to ankle and hip injuries, respectively, both remained sidelined for three consecutive practices.
Five others move forward as questionable after finishing the week as limited participants.
Here’s the rest of the game statuses for Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff at Highmark Stadium.
Along with work in the offensive and defensive backfields, Hasty and Jones have accounted for 238 yards on kickoffs and 386 yards on punts for the 3-11 Patriots. Their absences could lead to a call-up for veteran receiver and returner Alex Erickson following his arrival on the practice squad. And while unlisted, New England recently placed defensive tackle Christian Barmore back on the non-football illness list due to recurring symptoms stemming from his July diagnosis with blood clots. The move ends the 25-year-old’s season after four appearances.
Dugger missed the first session of divisional prep due to an illness in addition to a lingering ankle injury. Elsewhere on defense, groin and hamstring ailments saw White and Peppers added to New England’s injury report on Friday. Both had previously been full participants. And on the offensive line, two returnees await the green light. After suffering a torn patellar tendon last December, Strange was activated off the physically unable to perform list before going to the inactives last week. Wallace, meanwhile, saw his 21-day practice window open after going on injured reserve with an ankle injury in October. “He’s getting better every single day,” head coach Jerod Mayo said of the No. 68 overall pick out of Penn State. I don’t want to put a timetable on it.”
Wide receiver Javon Baker, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., linebackers Anfernee Jennings and Jahlani Tavai, as well as cornerback Christian Gonzalez, will go without game statuses for the Patriots.
