Aqib Talib does not make trip
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
New England Patriots star corner Aqib Talib suffered a hip flexor injury in last week’s big win over the New Orleans Saints, and he has been listed doubtful on the team’s injury report. He has now been downgraded to “out”, as the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe reports that Aqib Talib won’t be able to make the trip to New York to take on the rival Jets. Rob Gronkowski has made the trip, as fully expected, since his agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed that all doctors have cleared Gronkowski.
Losing Talib hurts, but at least it’s against an interception-prone rookie QB in Geno Smith, as well as a Jets wide receiver corps that will be missing Santonio Holmes for another game. While Holmes is inconsistent, he’s the most talented receiver on the Jets, but he is nursing a hamstring injury and won’t face the Patriots.
Talib has been one of the best players on the Pats this season, and he has turned an incredible offseason of workouts into an incredible regular season. One of the league’s best press corners, Talib is death to possession receivers, and he showed last week that he is physical enough to stop even the best pass-catching TE in the league in Jimmy Graham. Hip flexor injuries are usually one-week ailments, so he should be able to return next week to face another rival in the Miami Dolphins. That game is actually much more important for the Patriots to win, and it is a much more important game for Talib to play in; the Dolphins passing attack is definitely better than the Jets passing offense.
Not only was Talib listed doubtful, but he also reportedly did not look good at practice yesterday due to the injury. This is the best thing for Talib, as a week of rest will enable him to be fully healthy in Week 8. Plus, he wasn’t even healthy enough to play to begin with.
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