Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills: Injuries and their Impact on Week 7, Josh Uche, Tyquan Thornton, Josh Allen, etc.

Episode Date: October 22, 2023

With the New England Patriots set to host the Buffalo Bills in Week 7 at Gillette Stadium, injuries to key players may play a key role in determining the outcome. Host Mike D'Abate welcomes Dr. Kyle T...rimble, publisher of BangedUpBills.com and AFC East injury expert to break down the injuries to Riley Reiff, Cole Strange, Tyquan Thornton and Josh Allen.Find and follow Locked On Patriots on your favorite podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-patriots-daily-podcast-on-the-new-england/id1140512627Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1c5ZxFmwg3WbfxAU3tR5Ve?si=k196wH-yRqifUcQQz8SjIQStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-patriotsAnd follow host Mike D’Abate on Twitter, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the New England Patriots and talking with fans.Twitter: @mdabateNFLSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!DoorDashGet 50% off up to $10 value when you spend $15 or more on your FIRST order, when you download the DoorDash app and enter code LOCKED23. Subject to change. Terms apply.BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON today to get 10% off your first month. birddogsGo to birddogs.com/LOCKEDONNFL or enter promo code LOCKEDONNFL for a water bottle with any order. You won’t want to take your birddogs off we promise you. Jase MedicalGet $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.PrizePicksGo to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnfl and use code lockedonnfl for a first deposit match up to $100!GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed.eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFL. Terms and conditions apply.FanDuelMake Every Moment More. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS – GUARANTEED. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Starting point is 00:00:00 The New England Patriots are going to be without the services of yet another of their top pass rushers on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. But will it be a sign of things to come? Stick around, you're about to be locked into this pre-game episode of the Locked On Patriots Podcast. You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello to all of you, Foxborough faithful. Thank you once again for making Lockdown Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. Also, be sure to download, subscribe, and follow Lockdown Patriots wherever you get your podcasts
Starting point is 00:00:55 to ensure that you get the latest episode as soon as it's available. I'm your host, Mike DeBate. I cover your New England Patriots for Patriots Country of Sports Illustrated. So reach out to me and let me know what's on your mind on Twitter, on X, on the Bird app, whatever you're calling it these days, at M-D-A-B-A-T-E-N-F-L.
Starting point is 00:01:13 While you're out there showing some love to Locked On Patriots social media style, be sure to follow our account there as well at L-O underscore Patriots. And Pats fans, don't forget that this episode is brought to you by PrizePix, the easiest and most exciting way to play daily fantasy sports. Go to prizepix.com slash LockedOnNFL
Starting point is 00:01:34 and use all lowercase code LockedOnNFL for a first deposit match up to $100. Patriots fans, we are just hours away from your New England Patriots taking the field at Gillette Stadium for a Week 7 matchup against the 4-2 Buffalo Bills, the reigning AFC East Division champions, the division leaders right now, and a team that's favored, according to our good friends over at FanDuel Sportsbook, by 8.5 points.
Starting point is 00:02:02 It's not going to be an easy one for the Pats, but the road to rebuild has to start somewhere, and that somewhere could be this Sunday at Gillette Stadium. Now, the Patriots did get some good injury news prior to this game because they will have some much-needed reinforcements in their defensive backfield. They'll also be without a very key member of this defense, and I'm going to get into that in just a moment. But also, we're going to be going behind enemy lines and taking a look at some of the key injuries for the Buffalo Bills in this one. We'll also be taking a look at some of the key injuries for your New England Patriots.
Starting point is 00:02:39 And folks, you definitely don't want injury advice from me. It is not my area of expertise. Luckily for us, our guest today is an expert in the field of sports medicine. Dr. Kyle Trimble, an old friend of expertise. Luckily for us, our guest today is an expert in the field of sports medicine, Dr. Kyle Trimble, an old friend of ours, and of course you know him from his contributions to Joe Marino's Locked On Bills. He will be here in just a moment to talk about the injuries to Buffalo, the injuries to New England, and what it might mean for the product we're about to watch on the field today. A lot of injury news and a lot of interesting information on the way, so stay locked in. You are not going to want to miss this one.
Starting point is 00:03:10 But let's get back to the Patriots that will be on the field. And on Saturday, we found out that second-year cornerback Jack Jones, who had been sidelined for the Pats' first six games due to a hamstring injury, officially activated from injured reserve. And this is great news for the Patriots, folks. I still expect J.C. Jackson and Jonathan Jones to be your two primary starting cornerbacks with Miles Bryant chipping in in the slot.
Starting point is 00:03:37 But having Jack back in that secondary is huge. This is a young, aggressive, ball-hawking cornerback, and if he can cause some disruption in the Bills' passing game, it's only going to be good things for the New England Patriots. So it's good to welcome Jack back to the field. The injury news, not all good for the New England Patriots. Riley Reif, unfortunately, will go back onto injured reserve with yet another knee injury. It looks less likely by the day, folks, that we're going to get to see Riley Reif on a football field again for the New England Patriots this season.
Starting point is 00:04:08 Continues to be riddled by injury, and that means a lot more pressure being placed on that offensive line for Darian Lowe, City So, Antonio Moffey. All are going to have to step up and play vital roles in the Patriots' offensive line if they hope to keep that Buffalo pass rush and that defense on its heels. So again, a very, very difficult task, and it's made even more difficult now with the absence of Riley Reif. But Patriots are also going to be missing another one of their
Starting point is 00:04:38 top pass rushers. As if missing Matthew Judon was not enough for this team to overcome, they're going to be without the services of Josh Uche, who was ruled out on Friday with a foot injury. Now, the Patriots are currently at 1-5, folks, and Josh Uche is about to enter the final months of his contract with the New England Patriots. A lot of people expected him to get an extension earlier this offseason, even into this season. But after an 11.5 sack performance last season, Josh hasn't quite lived up to that billing so far this year. Two sacks in his first six games, and New England really hasn't been using him as anything more than a sub-rusher in passing situations. So if they're going to spend big money on someone, it's looking unlikely that it's going to be Josh Uche. And that
Starting point is 00:05:25 became a little more compounded this week when Fox Sports' Henry McKenna reported that the two sides have yet to have any contract discussions during the season, and that it's looking likely that Uche will test free agent waters when the offseason begins. Now, you have to wonder whether or not New England might look to move Josh. He's not going to be playing on Sunday, which means that he can't enhance his trade value, but he also can't hurt it. And even though Josh's season has not been what everyone hoped it would be, there are still a lot of teams that would be interested in bringing in his services. After all, when he is right and he's healthy, he's one of the league's most talented young pass rushers.
Starting point is 00:06:07 I would keep a sharp eye on this one, folks. Even with Josh nursing the foot injury, it still doesn't mean he can't be moved. The collective bargaining agreement allows for it now in the NFL. So this is one to watch, especially if the Patriots fall to the Bills this weekend and fall to 1-6. That means getting rid of assets. And as much as I love Josh Uche, and I have from the moment they drafted him, but football is a business, and if Josh Uche is able to bring in a valuable asset in return, you have to think the Patriots are going to be willing to
Starting point is 00:06:36 listen at the very least. Folks, it is a bleak injury situation for New England, but Buffalo has some injuries of their own to be watching for on the field on Sunday. And in just a moment, my good friend, Dr. Kyle Trimble, doctor of physical therapy and publisher of the site bangedupbills.com, is going to help us keep our friends close and our enemies closer. You will not want to miss what Kyle has to say, so stay locked in to the Locked On Patriots podcast, a proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day.
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Starting point is 00:09:29 Patriots fans, thank you once again for making Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage and hopefully your first listen every day. And joining us here today to give us the rundown on the extensive list of walking wounded for your New England Patriots and give us a little recon on the extensive list of walking wounded for your New England Patriots and give us a little recon on the Buffalo Bills, is a doctor of physical therapy, the publisher of bangedupbills.com, as well as someone who studies injuries all throughout the AFC East
Starting point is 00:09:56 and provides excellent coverage for all four teams in the division. My good friend, Dr. Kyle Trimble, joins me here today. Kyle, thanks so much for joining me and welcome back to Lockdown Patriots. Mike, thanks for having me on. It's always a pleasure to talk to you, and I'm ready to talk about some injuries. Absolutely, and we're definitely ready to hear your wisdom and counsel on the subject. We desperately need it here in New England because, as you can tell, it is an extensive laundry list of injuries that the Patriots have,
Starting point is 00:10:24 and it really has been tough times here for the Pats in regard to their health. Really, it's been tough times in regard to everything else, Kyle. But we're not going to get into that right now. We're going to leave our discussion today to the health of Patriots and Bills. And, you know, Kyle, they say keep your friends close and your enemies closer. So here on Locked On, Patriots, that means the Bills are going to be up first. We start with the obvious, and Patriots fans still have a great deal of affinity for Damian Harris. And obviously, we all know a scary situation last week against the New York Giants.
Starting point is 00:10:55 Damian taken from the field due to a neck injury. The latest on him seems to indicate that he's going to be okay. But have you heard anything additionally on damien's injury or a potential timetable for recovery um not too much more than what you had said uh you know he left the game late in the third quarter he ran into the back of the offensive line and he hit his head against somebody and he kind of went down tried getting back up or realized he couldn't really move and at that, the training staff realized there was something going on there, got him on the backboard out to the hospital
Starting point is 00:11:29 for further evaluation. They said he had full feeling in extremities, and he was able to move everything. And so he was cleared and released from the hospital the next day positive, especially after... It's always scary to see somebody come off, go off the field on the backboard. Of course, the DeMar Hamlin situation last year, very, very scary to see.
Starting point is 00:11:49 So, but he's been in action. They did place him in concussion protocol, which is often what we see happen after those type of injuries. So when we get Picard off on the backboard, you got to wonder if there's some type of cord contusion, spinal cord contusion. So while that's not an actual concussion, you want to make sure you slowly reintroduce contact and activities
Starting point is 00:12:11 so not to aggravate anything else in there. It's very possible he could have sustained a concussion at that time too, but the more the spinal cord, make sure that's intact and he has all feeling and whatnot. So he hasn't practiced this week. It wasn't expected that he's going to play this Sunday uh and as for a timeline it's hard to say some guys bounce back you know after week though with dane jackson last year he had real scary hit in week two against the titans took a week off and then kind of got right back to it and there's other guys that sometimes
Starting point is 00:12:38 take a little bit longer so it just depends on how his body's responding but anytime you see a guy get released from hospital the uh feeling and, that's always a positive sign. Yeah, especially with Damian. We were glad to see that the reports were positive initially. Patriots fans know all too well the scariness of a hit like that, especially with what happened to Isaiah Bolden earlier on in the preseason. We're definitely glad to see that Damian will be making a recovery and his return to the field, obviously secondary when it comes to his health and well-being moving forward.
Starting point is 00:13:11 So thank you for that update. Once again, a lot of Patriots fans still have a lot of affinity for Damian, and I know they appreciate the update. Kyle, we'll dive right into the injuries that the Bills are listing. And obviously, Josh Allen's name popping up on an injury report, regardless of where it is or how it's there, is going to draw attention. We heard about the right shoulder, suffering his injury to the right shoulder in Sunday night's win over the Giants.
Starting point is 00:13:37 But he was a full participant on Thursday. Our mutual friend Joe Marino joined me here yesterday on Crossover Thursday. Said that Josh essentially said it's not much to concern about, our mutual friend joe marino joined me here yesterday on crossover thursday said that josh essentially said it's not much to concern about maybe a little tightness maybe a little stiffness but nothing that'll keep him from the game but should the pats expect to see a full strength josh allen on sunday knowing what you know about this injury he might not be 100 it's hard to say any guy to be 100 at this time of the season already but i still expect him to be playing pretty close to his prior level play uh just to recap for the injury in the second
Starting point is 00:14:12 quarter um hard hit down from i think it was dexter warrens drove the shoulder right into the ground you can see him grab for it and then later in the broadcast he's kind of working out the shoulder um and then even right after the next play, he took another hit to the shoulder. That hit also brought him into the medical tent for two plays for a concussion check. And he continued to play through the game and was doing fine with all that stuff. So he went for x-rays after the game, and they're looking at likely AC joint sprain, which is how that presented when he kind of fell, what they're looking at. So he was limited on Wednesday, able to practice a full on thursday sprains and sometimes the accuracy does dip a little bit
Starting point is 00:14:51 we saw this a few years ago when uh josh was playing against the oakland raiders or las vegas whoever it was at that time and so um he suffered his non-throw and his actually accuracy dropped quite a bit it was like 63 i believe for a first game and then 51 for a second game keep in mind he played tennessee when they were really good and then the game but you do see accuracy be affected by joint sprain so that's a concern i do see coming into sunday though he might be able to swing the ball around is his accuracy going to suffer? He will play because he can get an injection in the shoulder
Starting point is 00:15:28 and all right through that elbow injury initially right after last year. So no concern about playing, but I'm concerned about accuracy and maybe if he takes another hit to the shoulder. And, of course, last but not least, you look at the Buffalo Bills injury report and a name that is obviously conspicuous by his absence is Von Miller we know that he's returned from a very difficult injury last year has been on a limited snap count coming back in trying to get his feet back under him obviously a dangerous dangerous pass rusher one of the best in the league when he's at full strength what should
Starting point is 00:16:02 Patriots fans expect from Von this week Do you expect a limited snap count? Do you think maybe he might see a little bit more against Mack Jones in this offensive line? How's he looking, and what are your thoughts on him and his status for the Sunday? Well, for Vaughn Miller to come back as quick as he did at his age, ACL tear, everything else like that, it's pretty remarkable. He did have a little setback in the summertime,
Starting point is 00:16:28 some type of muscle strain that kept him out for a few weeks in training camp which had that not happened could he have been ready week one maybe but uh they started to get him back in this week uh last week against jacksonville and he played in 20 snaps and they they were smart to cut him off and even though the bills need him late in the game they said nope we're gonna keep it to our plan kept in 20 snaps this past week against giants they moved up to 27 snaps which was about you know a 33 percent increase and so we're probably gonna see more of an increase from uh that next time so you're looking at 30 35 snaps and whatever the math works out for that because it's not just the snaps are looking at they're looking at total workload throughout the week so i'm sure during the week even though he's not the injury report they're still making sure that his body
Starting point is 00:17:07 can adapt and slowly ramp up since the training camp to really work up into that peak performance so i do expect him to continue ramp up see more time on the defensive end as for performance i mean mac jones has to keep his uh but i but I don't see Von Miller really getting in there unless he's really beaten the offensive line very badly, which it's possible we'll get into with the offensive line injuries with the Patriots, but he's looking human right now. Once again, 34 coming off a second ACL tear. We're going to see him look more like Von Miller in the later half of the season,
Starting point is 00:17:42 but if it's not going to be Von Miller, it's going to be Greg Rousseau who's working through a right foot injury. If it's not, you know, Greg Rousseau, it's going to be A.J. Epinesa. I mean, there's other guys come off the edge there. So I wouldn't be worrying too much about Von Miller. Keep your eyes out for him. But the rest of the defensive line is still, which is not good, if you're a Patriots fan.
Starting point is 00:18:01 Yeah, absolutely. And you mentioned Epinesa and Rousseau, definitely formidable defensive ends, both on the injury report on Thursday, folks, but both full participants, obviously Epineza with the quad and Rousseau with the foot injury. Those guys, if they are at full participation and at full strength,
Starting point is 00:18:17 the Patriots still have their hands full in what has been a dismal season in New England, especially on the offensive side of the ball. And Kyle, we're going to continue in that mode in just a moment because we've kept our friends close, our enemies closer, but now we're going to get into familiar territory for all of you Patriots fans. And that is the Patriots daunting list of walking wounded and the more than almost two dozen players listed on their injury report this week.
Starting point is 00:18:45 Kyle and I are not going to break down the whole list, but we're going to break down the notables in just a moment when this episode of the Lockdown Patriots podcast continues a proud part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team, every day. Lockdown listeners, football season is here and there is no better time to use prize picks. The largest independently owned daily fantasy sports platform in North America. In fact, they're the easiest and most exciting way to play daily fantasy sports. It's just you against the numbers. Instead of battling thousands of other players, including all those pros and sharks out there,
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Starting point is 00:21:29 That's when you download the DoorDash app and enter the code LOCKED23. Subject to change, terms apply, so don't forget. Use the code LOCKED23 for 50% off up to a $10 value on your first order when you download the DoorDash app and spend $15 or more. Something to change. Terms apply. Tots fans, thank you once again for joining us here today on Locked on Patriots, and the wisdom and counsel meter no longer exists. Providing insight only he can provide here on Locked On Patriots is my good friend, doctor of physical therapy and the publisher of bangedupbills.com, Dr. Kyle Trimble, an expert in all areas of injury when it comes to the AFC East,
Starting point is 00:22:16 and he's given us a Bills injury report, and now he's about to break down the laundry list of injuries of your New England Patriots. And Kyle, before we get into the extensive list that the Patriots have published the last couple of days, which really has been the talk of the town here in New England, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't ask for a pulse check on two injuries that unfortunately set the Patriots' pack majorly, especially on defense. Matthew Judon, torn biceps tendon. Initial reaction or initial diagnosis was that he may be able to return in December. Christian Gonzalez,
Starting point is 00:22:53 torn labrum, out for the season, we're assuming. These types of injuries obviously are delicate. It's all about recovery. It's all about the individual, but it's all about recovery it's all about the individual but it's all about obviously the rehab i guess my question is more about judan because we're assuming at this point that christian is going to sit out the entire season is it still realistic or is it realistic to expect matthew judan back around december and if so what type of matthew judan should we expect on the field uh that's a good question uh Judon, I know that they've been putting return to play timelines as early as two months. And that's really surprising because most of the literature I found, and this is coming both from research and professional experience,
Starting point is 00:23:37 having worked with that injury, usually they take longer, closer to six months. Now, once again, normal people, I know that they can accelerate those timelines for nfl players get them back out there you know two months i think is really aggressive um i know there's lots of toys and things like that the oven it's all ultimately comes down to what the surgeon says to what you can do even it comes back in three months maybe that puts him closer to around week 17 week 18 if the Patriots in the playoff hunt uh even when he does come back Braves because he wants to make sure that he stops any hyperextension of the elbow he wants to make sure that he can provide extra support so he's not putting extra stress
Starting point is 00:24:15 on the medial side of the elbow too where the UCL sits at so when even when he does come back I would expect him to struggle wrapping up tackles i would have him have difficulty shedding any blockers trying to get around the edge if he's lying up on the edge i would just would not expect a hundred percent matthew judon though his feet are still going to work his mind still going to work he's still getting himself in position but he's just not going to the same tackler and um what not to get into the backfield if he does get back there so it's not gonna look great but if you get matthew judon back and when you're in a playoff push that's going to help you in the long run yeah absolutely and that's excellent information and depending on where
Starting point is 00:24:56 the patriots are in the standings depending on what they're playing for at this point you have to wonder whether or not that time comes and matth, you know what, let me do what I need to do and be ready to give it a go in 2024 at full strength as opposed to trying to come back in 2023 at maybe less than what he's normally playing at. So interesting and very good information, Kyle. Thank you. I know our listeners will appreciate that. And bottom line, Matthew Judon is not going to be back on the field in the immediate future. The Patriots right now dealing with a lot of players that are banged up that are in their immediate future. And some of the more pressing injuries to this team, Kyle, are happening along the offensive line. Riley Reif, earlier this week, we talked to Bill Belichick.
Starting point is 00:25:39 Riley was obviously suffering with a knee injury that kept him out for the first few games on injured reserve. He gets activated, and apparently now he's dealing with a different knee injury. In the circles that you run in and analyzing these injuries, what have you heard on Riley's injury about maybe being different than the one that he has right now? Or is this kind of news to you as it was to all of us earlier this week when we talked to bill that's definitely news to me um i keep my abs on the afc east you know new england patriots i follow the beat reporters up there too and that's not something i had come across earlier um prior to give some context he had suffered a right knee injury game it sounded like he was
Starting point is 00:26:23 either a high ankle or an mcl sprain which is a pretty similar mechanism it sounded more like the mcl sprain which put him on the injury reserve for first four weeks comes back and you know you said it's an injury so he might have done something else in there especially if the knee injury is more severe but they say hey you're going to be okay enough to play there could be another stuff in there that you know the laxity and the joint could have led to a meniscus tear the patella issue or there's a number of different things that you could happen in there if it is indeed a different knee injury um i wouldn't be surprised if he just did re-aggregate the injury he had prior and he's just trying to manage it and they spin it and whatnot you know as concerning but he's this year and when you see things like that linger, it's like,
Starting point is 00:27:06 is it ever really going to get better? It's unfortunate if it is a different knee injury from what he's dealing with before. Yeah, absolutely. And making progress last week and seeing him on the field and hoping that he was going to be much more of a factor at right tackle for the New England Patriots, which really has been a disaster of a position for the Pats, injury-wise at least, and especially with play on the field. Staying on the offensive line, Kyle, for just another moment, Cole Strange continues to be enigmatic, I think, in a lot of Patriots fans' estimation. We know all about the injury that he suffered during training camp, kept him out of training camp in the preseason for much of this.
Starting point is 00:27:46 He's missed a handful of games this year. When he is in the lineup, it's looking like it's very difficult for him to be able to push off. It clearly looks like that knee is bothering him. In your analysis on Cole, what type of impact do you think this injury is having on him? And what can we expect in the future in the immediate future for cole strange because a very big key cog in this offensive line is him playing at the left guard position patriots haven't had that nearly enough this year he's a rough go of
Starting point is 00:28:16 it like you mentioned he suffered in a week of training camp missed a huge chunk of it and then kind of got back up into the swing of things slowly he started playing all right and then he suffered a re-injury in week four or at least what i assumed was they're looking at his leg again they missed in week and then i believe he missed week six it's been in and out there because he's been not practicing getting out there and we never really got an idea of what the injury was because once again this happened training camp they could be more hush-hush about this stuff, but I didn't see the film breakdown of what it was when he did suffer in week four,
Starting point is 00:28:52 but at this point, it's going to be a chronic thing. He's having problems posting his leg into blocking. He probably can't drive off that driver's block or whichever way the knee injury is, so if it's a right knee injury, he's probably going to have a hard time driving to the left, and he can't post in the ground and hold himself up as the guy's there. So, you know, do you – the injury report, yes. Do you hope it gets fully healthy if we're going to play? Yes, but at this point, it's probably going to be a chronic thing,
Starting point is 00:29:22 and we'll probably get some more information at the end of the season. But he's just going to have to gut it out every week, and that will be unfortunate for Patriots fans. That will be a way for a team to brush them or find ways to beat them so he can get through and get to the quarterback. Yeah, right about now, the New England Patriots definitely depleted along that line of Tony Omafi. The rookie has been doing the best job he possibly can,
Starting point is 00:29:48 spelling Cole at the left guard position. But it's going to be very difficult for the Patriots moving forward if they're not getting that protection, especially along the interior for Mac Jones and also helping to assist in run blocking as well. Patriots have been deficient in those areas. They've given it a best effort, but their best effort clearly hasn't been good enough for anyone that's been watching this team this year. On the cornerback side of things, Patriots obviously have their issues there with Christian Gonzalez, obviously the torn labrum, and Marcus Jones out with the
Starting point is 00:30:19 same injury at this point. But Jonathan Jones has been hampered by an ankle injury and now he's being listed with a knee injury um in the limited or in the sample size that you've had to work with looking at Jonathan looking how he's moving he's making his cuts things of that nature um he clearly looks like at least in the last game or so especially against uh the uh the Las Vegas Raiders that that that ankle or that injury still looks like it's hampering him. Is this something that the Patriots can continue to expect out of Jonathan? That's hard to say with that one. Just gives context that he suffered the ankle injury just prior to weakness, kept him out of the next three games. He was able to return to play in
Starting point is 00:31:02 week five, playing in 67% of the 67 of the snaps but you said he's hampered by it um we don't know the exact specifics of the injury when i see somebody out that long was there some type of high ankle sprain i know in practice you're not doing as much contact so you shouldn't be having that but sometimes people could still fall over twist their ankle funny what have you but um the fact that it's now a knee i'm sure there's some type of compensation injury where he's trying to push off the ankle can't quite get as much and the knee starts getting affected and sometimes you can see the up the kinetic chain where you see more in the hip and others so um you hate seeing it because he's an older player he wants to be out there and play
Starting point is 00:31:38 and his knowledge is just he doesn't have the availability you know through to keep his body healthy so i wish i had more information on that, but it's been batty trying to figure out what's going on with him because every week he was like, okay, he might go, he might go, and then he doesn't. And there's no film to even look at to see what he did, which makes it really hard to figure it out. But a quarterback with an ankle injury is just not a good combination.
Starting point is 00:32:01 Yeah, absolutely. And he definitely does look like he is being hampered by it. And of course, the Patriots issues along this cornerback group right now are definitely contributing to a lot of the difficulty that they're having on off, obviously on defense and on offense, they continue to struggle as well. I wouldn't really be doing my job unless I close the show today by asking you about wide receiver Taequann Thornton. Thornton has been often injured. We know that there are some questions about fragility when it comes to his build, his makeup. But the Patriots also need outside receiving help,
Starting point is 00:32:34 and they need someone that's capable of stretching the field. I know he's coming off of a shoulder injury as opposed to a lower body injury. Are there any limitations right now and what you're seeing and knowing the type of injury he's had uh that could keep him from being that type of player or do the patriots really have to manage him the rest of the way so we don't know a ton about taekwon thornton right now i believe he suffers injury in the preseason sometimes you don't get a good view on that it looked like an ac joint sprain of type when i did see whatever video was available uh we do know that he suffered the uh collarbone fracture last year which kept him out and sometimes that stuff is unfortunate just how you get driven into the turf um the team will
Starting point is 00:33:16 have to continue managing him not because he's not good enough or injury prone things like that but just you have so much other issues with the depth of the wide receiver especially concussions with juju smith schuster demario douglas and then um kashon booty deal with his hamstring and whatnot you want to make sure that you're not asking too much of these guys that or taekwon thornton that you can't keep him healthy and then you have nobody later on in the season. Absolutely, no, and it's definitely a concern for Patriots fans who are clamoring for some playmakers on the wide receiver position or really at any pass catching position, but it has been a position as well, especially on offense
Starting point is 00:33:56 that has been decimated by injury. So Kyle, what can I say? Thank you so much for the update on the massive list of walking wounded for the Patriots, whether we're talking guys that are scheduled or may not be playing in this week's game, and also those that are on injured reserve right now. It's definitely a huge help to our listeners. We appreciate it. Before I let you go, please let everyone know where they can catch all of your great written work, verbal work, and what we can look forward to throughout the season in terms of coverage from you, my friend.
Starting point is 00:34:27 So you find all my work at Bang the Bill. I do a lot of stuff with the Buffalo Bills. I also do a weekly AFC East injury preview that covers the entire division. So if you're looking for Patriots information, I'm trying to scour anything I can to give you some context. And like I was talking to Mike before the show, it's hard to find information on Patriots injuries, but if I can find video, if I can to give you some context. And like I was talking to Mike before the show, it's hard to find information on Patriots injuries, but if I can find video,
Starting point is 00:34:47 if I can find sources, I try to aggregate all that stuff. So you can at least have a more fuller picture of what's going on with the injuries, even though not a lot comes out of New England. So you can find, like I said, my work at banked up bills.com.
Starting point is 00:34:59 You can find me on Twitter or X, whatever it is called Facebook, Reddit, Instagram at banked up bills. But injuries and try to give context to everything because sometimes not a lot's given out, but the professional eye can sometimes give context where it can't be found. Absolutely. And folks, Kyle is among the best in the business at what he does.
Starting point is 00:35:21 We absolutely value his wisdom and counsel and we thank him for providing it today. Kyle, we definitely look forward to doing this again during the next Bills week that's coming up in a few months here on Locked On Patriots, but in the meantime, a tip of the cap and a nod to the gods to your knowledge. Thank you so much for joining me here today, my friend. Thank you, Mike. Absolutely.
Starting point is 00:35:40 Pats fans, thank you once again for listening to today's pregame episode of Locked On Patriots. Don't forget, we'll be back here post-game on Sunday to bring you all the ins and outs, the ups and downs of the Patriots' matchup with the Buffalo Bills. And of course, on Monday, the green man himself, the legendary Thomas Murphy of E2GSports.com drops by and we'll break it all down for you and even have a mailbag question for mailbag Monday waiting in the wings. Once again,
Starting point is 00:36:08 I am Mike debate and I thank you all for making locked on Patriots a daily part of your new England Patriots coverage until next time, folks continue to stay safe, stay well, and be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great day, everyone. And we'll see you back here again on the next episode
Starting point is 00:36:25 of the Locked On Patriots podcast.

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