Patriots emerge from bye week with eight players listed on injury report

The New England Patriots released their first injury report in almost two weeks on Wednesday, with their first injury update since the bye. It followed the team's Wednesday practice - the second of the week - as they get ready to face the New York Giants on Sunday.

It looks like the team made the most of getting healthy during the bye week, with perfect practice attendance on Tuesday and Wednesday. Eight players are listed on Wednesday's injury report (all limited), which is down from the 13 they had leading into their Week 10 game in Germany against the Indianapolis Colts.

READ MORE:

--What Bill Belichick is looking for from the Patriots' quarterbacks
--The latest look at the Patriots' in-practice quarterback battle
--Patriots Mailbag: Thanksgiving edition

The eight players listed on Wednesday's injury report are wide receiver DeVante Parker (concussion), offensive tackle Trent Brown (ankle), defensive linemen Christian Barmore (knee) and Deatrich Wise (shoulder), cornerbacks Myles Bryant (chest) and Jonathan Jones (knee), and special teamer Matthew Slater (ankle). All eight were limited on Wednesday.

Notably not included is safety Jabrill Peppers. Peppers was spotted in the locker room on Tuesday with a large wrap on his hand, and told reporters he needed an x-ray. During a later locker room session he told reporters the x-rays showed no issues, and this report reflects that.

For the Giants, five players didn't practice including a number of key starters. Running back Saquon Barkley (not injury related/rest), offensive tackle Evan Neal (ankle), and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (hamstring) all sat out on Wednesday. Five more players were limited, including tackle Andrew Thomas (knee) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hip).

Read more...

We're back from the bye week with the latest edition of the 98.5 The Sports Hub New England Patriots Mailbag. It's also Thanksgiving week, so let me first pass along a 'happy Thanksgiving!' to you and yours.

As for this week's Mailbag, it's more of the same from previous weeks. You guys all seem to already be onto the offseason, asking more about the upcoming spring than the stretch run of this season.

READ MORE:

--What Bill Belichick is looking for from the Patriots' quarterbacks
--Bill O'Brien on the Patriots' quarterback decision
--WATCH: Apple TV releases first look at upcoming Patriots dynasty docuseries

That being said, who am I to not give the people what they want? You want offseason talk? We can do offseason talk.

Touching on both potential player and coaching changes, let's get into this week's mailbag...

In the past, I've been somebody who has said that the whole "offensive head coaches are the only way to win in the modern NFL" take was overrated. Recently though, it seems like there's been too much evidence backing that point - especially when it comes to developing young quarterbacks.

The relationship between a quarterback and the top-ranking offensive coach on a team is important, especially when it comes to player development. If that coach is the head coach, great. He's not going anywhere and the two can continue to work together. However, if the head coach is a defensive coach and the top offensive coach is the offensive coordinator, that coach is always a threat to leave - especially if the team is doing well. If that coach gets hired away there's the risk of a revolving door at that spot, leaving little continuity for the quarterback.

Now, there are some ways around that. A team could hire an experienced offensive coach that has already tired and failed as a head coach elsewhere, and likely isn't getting another shot. If the Patriots are going to hire a defensive-minded head coach, they should look for that kind of offensive coordinator.

Generally where there's smoke, there's fire, and there's been plenty of smoke in terms of reporting that the Patriots will be moving on from Bill Belichick after this year. That being said there are still seven games left to play, so it would be presumptuous to think any definitive decision has been made yet. If the Patriots win a few games down the stretch, it wouldn't be unrealistic to think that could help Belichick keep his job. That's hardly a guarantee, but it does feel too early to completely close the door right now.

After struggling in Week 1 and then having a couple of weeks off, Sidy Sow played much better upon returning to the lineup in Week 6 (although he had a bit of a hiccup against the Colts). Sow is still growing his game, but has flashed starter-level upside. With the Patriots having so many other pending needs this offseason, penciling Sow is as the starting right guard next season if Mike Onwenu moves to right tackle or leaves the team outright makes sense.

We'll see who ends up going back to school, but right now this looks like a very deep draft class at the wide receiver position. If the Patriots want to take a wideout on Day 2 they should have options - certainly more than last year.

Brian Thomas Jr. from LSU is a good name to know. Other players I like in that range are AD Mitchell from Texas, Xavier Legette from South Carolina, Johnny Wilson from Florida State, and Roman Wilson from Michigan. All four are boundary, 'X' type wide receivers, although Wilson may be more of a 'Z' in the NFL.

While I think many of the critiques of Caleb Williams' personality are overblown (people criticized him for crying after a game the week after criticizing him for not caring enough about winning or losing), it is fair to wonder how his approach will play in the Boston market. He's still incredibly talented, and winning does cure all, but it's something that should be considered.

I think Bo Nix is a solid prospect overall, but isn't what the Patriots should be looking for in their next quarterback. They just went through trying to develop an older, high-floor, low-ceiling, ball-distributing QB and that hasn't worked out.

While Penix is the same age as Nix and does have knee injuries in his past, he's now three years removed from the latest of those injuries. Assuming he clears his physical at the NFL Combine, it's less of a concern. His natural arm talent also surpasses Nix (and most of the quarterbacks in this class), and he's had more on his place in Washington's offensive system.

Not a side dish, but you know those videos of people putting deep-fried turkeys into a pot of oil, and they explode?

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 abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.