New England Patriots
Diggs was a full participant in New England’s final practice on Friday before the team travels to Tennessee.
The Patriots, who find themselves atop the AFC East heading into Week 7, could be without several players against head coach Mike Vrabel’s old team, the Tennessee Titans.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs (chest) appeared on New England’s injury report Wednesday for the first time this season. Diggs was a limited participant during practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant on Friday, which is a good sign for the player entering the weekend.
Diggs had a quiet performance last Sunday in New Orleans after back-to-back games with 100-plus receiving yards in Weeks 4 and 5, but his impact as a reliable receiver for second-year quarterback Drake Maye has been immeasurable. The 31-year-old pass-catcher has yet to record his first touchdown as a Patriot, something he’ll seek to change this Sunday if he’s indeed good to go.
Safety Jaylinn Hawkins (hamstring) remains on the injury report with the same ailment he’s dealt with in recent weeks. Hawkins is questionable to suit up versus the Titans after missing last week’s game against the Saints.
Linebacker Harold Landry (ankle) joins Diggs and Hawkins in the questionable category. Landry did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but returned on Friday as a full participant. Similar to Diggs, Landry’s practice participation heading into the weekend is a good sign that he will be active come Sunday.
Landry, a former Titan, sustained his ailment against the Saints last week when he collided with teammate Khyiris Tonga. Landry visited the blue medical tent but quickly returned to the field without a brace. The injury looked gnarly when it happened, so his brief stint in the tent and full practice participation on Friday were all welcome surprises.
Landry, 29, has been a crucial part of the Patriots’ defense under Vrabel this season. The playmaker ranks fifth among all NFL edge defenders with 14 tackles, according to Pro Football Focus. Landry also ranks eighth in sacks with five through the first six weeks of action. Last week versus New Orleans, he recorded two quarterback hits and one tackle for loss.
Vrabel spoke highly of Landry, whom he previously coached in Tennessee, and his character on and off the field during Friday’s press conference.
“I’ve been with Harold for a long time. I’ve watched him grow, I’ve watched him get married, I’ve watched him have kids, I’ve watched his kids grow up, I’ve watched them play baseball and then they’ve got football now,” Vrabel said of the seventh-year defender. “When he’s here, he works, he comes in early, he’s diligent and he works. When he goes home, he appreciates his family. He’s a professional; you don’t have to track him down. You don’t have to worry that he’s going to be in the weight room or in treatment. He’s versatile, he’s done a lot for us in Tennessee and now doing that here. So again, he’s been a good addition to this football team.”
Rounding out New England’s questionable players this week is cornerback Charles Woods (knee), who did not practice on Thursday or Friday after practicing on Wednesday. Woods’s injury dates back to last week. He played just four defensive snaps (7 percent) and 10 special teams snaps (42 percent) against the Saints.
Several players who began the week with injury designations should be full-go on Sunday. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore (not injury related/other), CB Christian Gonzalez (hamstring), LBs Anfernee Jennings (ankle) and Marte Mapu (neck), offensive tackle Morgan Moses (hip), and defensive end Keion White (elbow) were full practice participants on Friday.
As for the Titans, WR Calvin Ridley (hamstring) is among four players who will not play. Nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat (ankle) is among three who are questionable to play.
Ex-Patriots kicker Joey Slye should be available after dealing with a right calf injury, which limited him in all three practices this week.
Kickoff for the Patriots and Titans is set for 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday.
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