Aaron Dobson, LaRon Landry Injury Updates
Indianapolis Colts safety LaRon Landry (30) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Colts 40-11. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots wide receiver Aaron Dobson has always been considered unlikely to play in Saturday’s Divisional Round game against the Indianapolis Colts, and each passing day has brought less optimism regarding his status. Even before this week’s set of practices started, Dobson wasn’t expected to play, especially since the Patriots brought back Austin Collie. Josh Boyce is already out and the Patriots almost always bring back Collie when two wideouts are injured, so this was the first bad sign for Dobson’s status.
The second bad sign came on Tuesday, as Dobson missed practice to start the week. Since Dobson is a rookie receiver and the Patriots like being cautious with injuries to rookies, I wrote that Dobson would need to return to practice yesterday in order to play this week against the Colts. Well, Dobson didn’t return, but everyone else eligible to practice did, as both cornerback Alfonzo Dennard and left guard Logan Mankins have been practicing all week.
According to ESPN Boston’s Field Yates, Dobson missed today’s practice as well, and he continues to be the only absence from practice. At this point, Dobson is locked in as a “no-go” for this week’s game, and I think the chances of him playing on Saturday are very close to 0%. I fully expect Kenbrell Thompkins to hoard snaps as the team’s best “X” receiver, but I also expect Dobson to be back for the AFC Championship game if the Patriots are able to defeat the Colts.
Meanwhile, the Colts will have a key starter in the secondary playing on Saturday, as the Indianapolis Star’s Mike Chappell reports that starting strong safety LaRon Landry is practicing again today. Landry was cleared to practice yesterday after suffering a concussion in the team’s 45-44 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, and it would be a shock for Landry to miss this week’s game.