Danny Amendola, Aqib Talib not at practice but Dan Connolly returns
New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib (31) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) in the final seconds in the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Patriots won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots are having to fight some hard bites from the injury bug, as star defensive players Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo are done for the year. The Pats also lost starters Danny Amendola, Aqib Talib, and Dan Connolly to injuries in Sunday’s key win over the New Orleans Saints, and the injury status of Talib deserves special concern. He has been having exactly the kind of breakout year that the Patriots hoped for and expected, and he is certainly making the most out of a one-year, prove-it deal; he’s in line to make straight cash.
For now, Talib’s main task at hand is getting healthy, and the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe reports that both Aqib Talib and Danny Amendola missed practice today. Amendola suffered a brutal concussion on the sidelines, and I think it’s safe to say that we can rule him out for this week’s game against the New York Jets. It almost seems like Amendola is cursed, because he has now suffered two seemingly serious injuries this season.
Talib is a huge key for the Patriots defense, because the Pats are in trouble if either of their corners on the outside misses a game. The Pats have a great starting three with Kyle Arrington in the slot, but things could unravel if Talib has to miss significant time; I don’t trust Logan Ryan yet. That said, Talib just has a minor hip flexor, so he has a fair shot at returning this week. Even if he is out, the Patriots should do just fine against the New York Jets passing attack.
Dan Connolly has returned to practice from a concussion, and that’s good news for the Patriots. Both he and third-year converted guard Marcus Cannon need to step up, because RG is clearly the weak link on the Patriots offensive line.
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