Kenbrell Thompkins on bike at practice
New England Patriots wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins (85) runs after catching a pass during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Patriots 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots could be without rookie wideouts Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins for this week’s game against the Cleveland Browns, as Dobson was out last week with a foot sprain and Thompkins suffered a hip injury. As usual when it comes to the Patriots, we don’t know the severity of either injury, but we do know that Thompkins tried to play through the ailment at first before calling it quits for the rest of the game.
According to the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe, Thompkins was spotted riding the stationary bike for a “few minutes” before stretching, so it sounds like he’s not practicing today. If he does end up practicing, then I would be surprised. With Dobson out at practice today, it would seem like the statuses of both rookie receivers are up-in-the-air this week against the Browns. Their practice statuses should be watched closely as the week goes on, but I think we’ll only see one of the two playing this week.
Even though the Browns shouldn’t be taken lightly, the Patriots should be fine without both Thompkins and Dobson, though things could get dicey due to a talented Browns secondary and a lack of a player to stretch the field. Hopefully one of either Thompkins or Dobson can play this week, but the Patriots will probably play things conservatively with their injured rookie wideouts.