Patriots rule two out for Sunday, will Sony Michel return?
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
Both Patriots who were injured last week against Houston will be unavailable this Sunday against the Cardinals.
Friday’s injury report indicated Isaiah Wynn (knee) and Rex Burkhead (knee) will be out for Sunday’s game against Arizona. Both players left the second half of last week’s loss to the Texans and did not return.
Wynn was rolled up on during the Patriots penultimate drive of the game. He hadn’t practiced all week, which is usually a sign a player won’t play on Sunday. The team hasn’t given much info to his status other than clarifying he is suffering from a knee injury.
Burkhead’s listing doesn’t come as a surprise after he announced via Twitter earlier this week he will be out for the remainder of the 2020 season. The listing is likely a formality since the team has not yet placed him on IR. That move could come as early as Saturday to free up a roster spot.
The Patriots have ruled Isaiah Wynn out for Sunday.
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) November 27, 2020
Here’s the full injury report: pic.twitter.com/oRgb6Q2Pxe
The Patriots also listed 13 players as questionable. Among them is safety Kyle Dugger. The rookie was added to the report on Thursday with a a toe injury, but returned to the field Saturday, albeit in a limited capacity.
Two players were removed from the injury report. Lawrence Guy has been dealing with a host of issues, but was a full participant and will be full-go on Sunday. Guard Joe Thuney (ankle) is also not questionable for the first time in over a month.
For the Cardinals, both Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins were removed from the report. Hopkins had been dealing with an illness earlier in the week, and Murray injured his throwing shoulder in Arizona’s last game. Both are expected to start.
One other thing worth watching for the Patriots heading into Sunday’s game is the running back situation. Rookie J.J. Taylor was listed as questionable, and hasn’t played since Week 3. That leaves the Patriots with three active running backs in James White, Damien Harris, and Sony Michel.
Michel was activated off IR last week, but did not dress for the game in Houston. According to Bill Belichick, the Patriots activated Michel when they did to avoid his IR clock running out, which would have cost him his season.
Asked on Friday for an update on Michel’s status, Belichick said “he’s had a couple of good weeks. I think he’ll be ready to go,” referring to this Sunday’s game. Expect to see the 2018 first-round pick back in the lineup for the Patriots against the Cardinals, even in a limited capacity.
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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].
