By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
When the Patriots hit the practice field on Thursday, they did so without a key member of their team.
Wide receiver Julian Edelman was not spotted during the early portion of a rainy practice. The 34-year-old was limited Wednesday with a knee injury. He’s been on and off the injury report all season.
Losing Edelman for even one game would be a major blow to an already struggling passing game. There’s now a chance the Patriots could be without their top two receivers on Sunday in Buffalo – N’Keal Harry didn’t practice for the second straight day due to a concussion he suffered against San Francisco.
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If Edelman and Harry both can’t go, that leaves New England with three healthy receivers on the active roster – Damiere Byrd, Jakobi Meyers, and Gunner Olszewski. That trio has combined for 24 catches, 311 yards, and no touchdowns in 2020. They also have three receivers on the practice squad. Isaiah Zuber is the standout of that group. The rookie UDFA has been elevated three times so far this year, with three touches for 37 yards.
The third and final player not present at Thursday’s practice was defensive tackle Carl Davis. Signed off the Jaguars practice squad two weeks ago, he’s been slow to get going due to a concussion.
Friday will be the Patriots’ final open practice before they leave for Buffalo, so there is still time for clarity on Edelman and Harry’s situations before the game.
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