Patriots-Bills Injury Report

The 2011 NFL regular season concludes on Sunday, New Year's Day, and locally, the Patriots (12-3) host the Buffalo Bills (6-9) at Gillette Stadium at 1 p.m.

Everybody knows the stakes for the Pats, win and they clinch home-field throughout the AFC playoffs. They've already won the AFC East title and clinched a first-round bye.

The injury reports for both teams came out this afternoon and Buffalo has already declared five players out for their season-finale. Tackle Demetrius Bell (knee), tight end Mike Caussin (knee), kicker Dave Rayner (groin), quarterback/kick returner Brad Smith (hamstring) and guard Kraig Urbik (knee) are all free to get loaded on New Year's Eve since all they'll be doing on Sunday is standing on the sideline in street clothes.

New England's banged up offensive line will be missing guard Logan Mankins (knee) and tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back), who were ruled out. Bill Belichick had fun with this injury report as 16 Patriots are questionable.

Kyle Arrington (foot), Deion Branch (groin), Patrick Chung (foot), Dan Connolly (groin), Julian Edelman (back), Dane Fletcher (thumb), James Ihedigbo (shoulder), Matt Light (ankle), Devin McCourty (shoulder), Rob Ninkovich (hip), Matthew Slater (shoulder), Brandon Spikes (knee), Shane Vereen (hamstring), Brian Waters (ankle), Wes Welker (knee) and Tracy White (abdomen) are all 50-50 against their AFC East rivals.

I say it every week but since the Pats are off next week when the playoffs begin, it would be very nice to see Chung and/or Spikes get back on the field. It'll also be interesting to see if Light can play since he was a last-minute scratch last weekend against Miami.

Welker was fined $10,000 by the NFL for wearing an unauthorized hat. It was for an energy bar company he promotes, not some Jesus freak stuff like Jon Kitna used to sport so that makes me rest easier. As he pointed out on Twitter, Welker had worn this hat all season but for whatever reason, the NFL decided to fine him now. Weird.

Stay tuned to see who else is out on Sunday.

UPDATE 1/1: Defensive back Malcolm Williams was added to the 53-man roster and defensive end Alex Silvestro was signed to the practice squad, taking Williams' spot. Ross Ventrone wasn't activated since it would have exhausted his practice squad eligibility for his career (really). Also, Williams playing means that special teams all-star White is probably out tomorrow.

The inactives for the Pats are Mankins, Vollmer, White, Faulk, Vereen, Ron Brace and Ryan Mallett. The inactives for the Bills are Smith, Nesbitt, Urbik, defensive lineman Jarron Gilbert, Bell, wide receiver Kamar Aiken and tight end Fendi Onobun.

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Pats Dodge A Serious Bullet: Logan Mankins Only Has Sprained MCL In His Left Knee

When Patriots guard Logan Mankins went down on Sunday with a knee injury, it didn't look good since he never returned to the 27-24 win over the Dolphins.

We can breath a sigh of relief as the Boston Globe reported today that Mankins only sprained the MCL in his left knee and he won't need surgery. If you are a Patriots fan, there is no doubt that you are familiar with this injury. Linebackers Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes have both dealt with it this season; Mayo returned quickly while Spikes still hasn't come back after getting hurt on November 6 against the Giants.

New England (12-3) closes out the regular season vs. Buffalo on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. They've already clinched a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs and they'll get the No. 1 seed if they can beat the Bills. This all means that Mankins will have basically three weeks off before another meaningful game. I'm not sure if he's a fast healer or not, since he's basically never hurt, but at least this gives us all hope that we haven't seen the last of him this season.

It hasn't been Mankins' best season, he has been a Pro Bowler in the past, but anybody outside of Donald Thomas' extended family would pick Mankins over his replacement.

In other Patriots roster news, the Globe also said that New England plans to sign fullback Lousaka Polite to take Ross Ventrone's vacated place. Thomas had been used as a fullback at times but he'll be starting in Mankins' spot.

To me, this smells like a one-week move since as I said, Mankins will likely be back for the playoffs. Polite played in four preseason games for the Dolphins but has not appeared in a regular season game since last season. In seven NFL seasons (Miami, Chicago, Dallas) he's played in 75 games for three teams.

UPDATE 12/27: Cornerback Malcolm Williams was resigned to the practice squad where Ventrone is expected back as soon as tomorrow.

Tonight, eight Patriots were announced to the 2012 Pro Bowl. Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski, Mankins, Brian Waters, Andre Carter, Vince Wilfork and Matthew Slater (special teams).

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Julian Edelman Proves To Be More Elusive In Court Than He Is On A Football Field

Hey gang, remember that time that Patriots wide receiver/defensive back Julian Edelman got busted on Halloween for allegedly groping a women at a Boston bar? Well it turns out that all charges have been dropped, so you can safely go along on your business of not caring about him.

I won't get into the details of the case but apparently, it was pretty thin since today the Suffolk County prosecutors said goodbye to this case which truly captivated America.

I'm not making fun of groping or assault and as I said at the time, who knows what really happened that cheap-booze and bad costume filled evening? Still, this is yet another example of a professional athlete getting preferential treatment over normal schmoes like you and me. Everybody knows there's a double standard in life and we deal with it but it becomes scary when scrubs like Edelman either A) is targeted by slampig Massholes or B) gets away with something awful.

From the Boston Globe: Prosecutors said they would not be able to meet their burden of proving charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

“After a thorough investigation of this case by the Boston Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit … the Commonwealth has concluded that it would not be able to meet its burden at trial of proving each of the elements of indecent assault and battery beyond a reasonable doubt,” prosecutors said in a document filed in court today, according to Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office.

If this doesn't give you faith in the U.S. legal system, I don't know what else can. Happy Holidays everybody!

UPDATE 12/15: Cornerback Malcolm Williams was released; he could go back to the practice squad if he clears waivers but the practice squad is currently full. Stay tuned for all the Malcolm Williams updates that your heart desires.

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Patriots-Redskins Injury Report

You know that the New England Patriots (9-3) haven't had a big game in weeks since it seems like nobody is talking about them at the moment.

With the NBA's bumbling moves and the Bruins in full swing not to mention the holidays around the corner, it is totally understandable why people have mostly stopped paying attention to the Pats during the weeks between games.

This Sunday should be no different than the last few games because New England plays at the Washington Redskins (4-8). You remember who Washington's quarterback is right? None other than Rex Grossman and if he should get hurt or falter, John Beck is his backup. So yeah, that's why nobody should fear Mr. Tan himself Mike Shannon or his garbage team that is playing out the string as usual.

As far as injuries go, Washington's list is a short one. Defensive tackle Chris Baker (quad) and safety LaRon Landry (groin) have both been declared out. Everybody else on their injury report is probable and I don't bother to mention those. Let's also not forget two of their best players: left tackle Trent Williams and tight end Fred Davis, who will miss Sunday's game and the rest of the season due to failing a drug test (reportedly for marijuana).

The Patriots have declared offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back/foot) out. Linebacker Jermaine Cunningham (hamstring), who you probably forgot still existed, is doubtful. Following the pattern of the last few weeks, Bill Belichick has listed a double-digit amount of Patriots players (12 this time) as questionable.

Cornerback Kyle Arrington (foot), safety Patrick Chung (foot), center Dan Connolly (groin), wide receiver/cornerback Julian Edelman (back), linebacker Dane Fletcher (thumb), safety James Ihedigbo (shoulder), cornerback Devin McCourty (shoulder), wide receiver Matthew Slater (shoulder), linebacker Brandon Spikes (knee), running back Shane Vereen (hamstring), offensive lineman Ryan Wendell (calf) and running back Danny Woodhead (abdomen) are all theoretically 50/50 to play at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday at FedEx Field.

The players I'll be keeping an eye on the most for New England that are questionable have to be Chung and Spikes. They've both missed big chunks of time and are two of the Patriots most talented defensive players. New England's playoff hopes will likely fall on their shaky defense to make a few plays/stops here and there. Those are guys that can get that done.

I'll update this tomorrow and/or Sunday when I hear who is going to be out as well for both teams.

Another note: Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo was fined $25,000 on Friday for his hit on Colts quarterback Dan Orlovsky. Apparently, he hit him in the head or neck area but since there was no penalty on the play, I honestly don't remember it. This was the biggest fine received by a Patriot so far this season.

UPDATE 12/10: The Pats have resigned defensive lineman Eric Moore, who was on the team for a while last season, and placed Cunningham on IR. Moore was signed by New England at this time last season and even though he was completely unknown, he was a solid pass rusher (something they desperately needed).

He was cut in training camp so he's spent the season with Virginia's UFL team. Some thought rookie defensive end Markell Carter would be activated off the practice squad but apparently Belichick doesn't think the raw project is quite ready yet.

Cornerback Sterling Moore was released and cornerback Malcolm Williams was activated from the practice squad. Also, Chung (5th straight game), Connolly, Spikes and Vereen.

UPDATE 12/11: Third quarterback Ryan Mallett and defensive lineman Gerard Warren are the other Patriots who are inactive for today.

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Underrated Great Story For The Patriots Plus A Cameo By Ross Ventrone

Today at 4 p.m. was the deadline for players to be activated off the reserve/non-football injury list. The Patriots made a corresponding move by activating rookie offensive lineman Marcus Cannon.

You might have forgotten his story but the 2011 fifth-round draft choice out of TCU is in full remission after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He returned to practice last month and his three-week window expired today.

New England had the choice to either put him on the 53-man roster or place him on season-ending IR. To make room for him on the roster, safety Ross Ventrone was cut for the 10 millionth time in the past month. Also, rookie cornerback Malcolm Williams was added to the practice squad. He takes Ventrone's place after the safety was added to the roster for Sunday's game against the Jets.

When you are reading the tenth sappy story about Cannon in the next week, remember where you were first reminded about his amazing journey: here. He's certainly an easy guy to root for and since he's healthy enough to contribute, he could see playing time at any point in the rest of the season.

UPDATE 11/17: Ventrone is back on the practice squad while cornerback Josh Victorian was released off the practice squad to make room for the envy of NFL scrubs everywhere.

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Getting Set For Patriots-Giants On Sunday

There is so much to talk about as the New York Giants (5-2) visit the New England Patriots (5-2) on Sunday. These teams will always be linked due to Super Bowl 42 and it's interesting to note that this is the first time they have played since that pivotal night in Arizona (preseason games don't count).

It's not going out on a limb to say that the Pats haven't been the same since; Tom Brady got hurt the next year and they missed the playoffs in 2008 then in the last two years they've been regular season heroes but they've lost at home in their first postseason games.

More than ever, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is being questioned; not so much for his coaching ability but his terrible draft picks over the last decade. It's become apparent that he has too much power and nobody in the franchise ever so much as thinks to question anything he does.

New York appeared ready to take the next step after the unexpected Super Bowl championship but they've done nothing to dispel their reputation of being completely up and down. The Giants have missed the playoffs two out of the last three seasons.

On the injury front, New England has to be pumped that New York's best running back-Ahmad Bradshaw (broken bone in his foot)-and wide receiver-Hakeem Nicks (hamstring)-are both listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest. The Patriots defense is a train wreck but they have a much better chance of containing Brandon Jacobs, Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz.

Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is listed as questionable after he possibly picked up a concussion in practice yesterday. Again, that would be a huge break (no pun intended) since he's one of the best pass rushers (I had to look up the term myself) in the NFL.

New York center David Baas is doubtful with a knee injury too. Tackle Stacy Andrews is out with a back injury while fullback Henry Hynoski is questionable with a neck injury.

For the Patriots, Wes Welker (neck), Josh Barrett (thumb), Shaun Ellis (ribs), Kevin Faulk (knee), BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe), Albert Haynesworth (back), Aaron Hernandez (knee), Jerod Mayo (knee) and Sebastian Vollmer (back) are all questionable. As always, that's probably semantics and just injury report tomfoolery by Belichick. Dane Fletcher (thumb) is the only Patriot that has been declared out with his lingering injury.

In other news, Patrick Chung and Faulk were both fined $7500 for plays in the loss to Pittsburgh last Sunday. Chung grabbed Antonio Brown's facemask and pulled him down while Faulk committed a chop block.

Finally, in the neverending Ray Ventrone/practice squad transactions, I wasn't even going to bother to mention that Ventrone was released yesterday for the millionth time. However, New England resigned its 2011 seventh-round draft pick Malcolm Williams (a cornerback). Another cornerback, Josh Victorian, was dumped off the practice squad.

I'll keep you posted if any other injury news or pertinent information comes out in the next few days. Now excuse me while I go pray that New England's defense starts to show a pulse. If all these scrap heap bums don't get coached up, it looks like another one and down playoff trip is basically a certainty.

UPDATE 11/5: Ron Brace has been activated off the PUP list and he'll make his 2011 debut tomorrow for the Patriots. Maybe the 2009 second-round pick and defensive lineman from BC will make an impact after being nothing but a bust for his first two seasons in New England. He fills the spot that was vacant on the 53-man roster.

New England's Taylor Price (hamstring) was also added to the injury report today, he's questionable for tomorrow. Ironic, considering he's likely to get more snaps/targets than ever tomorrow if he plays.

Bradshaw, Nicks and Baas were both declared out today, advantage Patriots. New York activated WR Ramses Barden to take Nicks' spot for this weekend at least.

UPDATE 11/6: The Patriots inactives are Price, Faulk and Ellis.

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