The New England Patriots have issued their final injury report of the week and their situation now compared to earlier in the week isn’t much different. Nine players are questionable. They are:
TE Martellus Bennett (ankle)
RB Brandon Bolden (knee)
LB Jamie Collins (hip)
WR Julian Edelman (foot)
DT Woodrow Hamilton (shoulder)
LB Shea McClellin (concussion)
WR Malcolm Mitchell (hamstring)
LB Elandon Roberts (ankle)
DL Vincent Valentine (back)
Bolden seems to be the only player who is unlikely to play, downgraded to no participation today. Everyone except him has been a limited participant this week.
Bennett and Edelman look poised to play along with most of this group. Collins may be the only one truly up in the air after missing last week with his hip issue.
Hamilton and Valentine are key cogs to their interior line rotation, McClellin is a little-used linebacker, and Mitchell/Roberts are promising rookies. Roberts in particular has been impressive on tape and will see plenty of work, especially if Collins sits.
Bottom line is New England enters the game pretty healthy and all the more dangerous, making it an even tougher task for Pittsburgh to seek their upset bid.
