Pats Pulpit
Even though they played a strong first half to build a 24-7 lead, the New England Patriots were ultimately unable to seal the deal against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. When the final whistle was blown, they had been defeated with a final score of 35-31.
Despite the result, there are silver linings to take away from the game. Among them is the fact that the Patriots seemingly escaped without any major injury issues. So, let’s assess the damage after rewatching the game.
CB Carlton Davis III: On the first play of the Bills’ second drive of the second half, Davis was covering wide receiver Joshua Palmer down the field on an eventual incomplete pass when he seemed to experience some discomfort following a cut. He took himself out of the contest at 9:09 left in the third quarter, and after a brief stint in the medical tent headed for the locker room. Officially announced as questionable with a groin issue, the veteran defender returned with 9:49 to go in the game after having missed 23 defensive snaps. He finished the game without any visible limitations.
CB Marcus Jones: Also not showing any signs of injury on the field was Marcus Jones. However, the team captain was later spotted walking slowly and with a limp in the locker room, indicating that he was nursing some sort of ailment coming out of the contest. The exact nature and severity of it are not known yet, but Jones was on the field for only 69% of defensive snaps, below his season-long average of 79%.
New England’s cornerback room, which already is without Alex Austin, who is on injured reserve, will be under the microscope this week. While both Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones were able to finish the game against the Bills, both appear to be below 100% heading toward the upcoming trip to Baltimore.
It remains to be seen how active they will be in the lead-up before that game against the Ravens, but both speaking with the media on Sunday can be interpreted as a positive sign. Davis even spoke about his willingness to play through injury.
“That’s just in my DNA,” he said. “I know what’s on the line and it’s so hard to watch your team play and not be able to be out there and contribute, especially when I’m needed or when it’s a close game. Obviously, we know what’s on the line, the division. We know the No. 1 seed, everything’s on the line, so I’m not going to stay out. Credit to the trainers, we came in here and did some good exercises that allowed me to get a couple drives in and that was it.”
The Patriots’ first practice of the week, set to take place on Wednesday, will give us a clearer view of the team’s injury situation.
