New England Patriots wide receiver Aaron Dobson (17) is unable to make a catch against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won the game 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Aaron Dobson sprained his foot in Week 12 against the Denver Broncos, and he was out until Week 16. However, Dobson aggravated his foot injury in the first quarter of the Patriots Week 17 game against the Buffalo Bills, and the team’s starting “X” receiver looks unlikely to play in this week’s Divisional Round game against the Indianapolis Colts.
According to the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe, Dobson is the only player missing from practice today for the Patriots, as cornerback Alfonzo Dennard and star left guard Logan Mankins both returned. The fact that Dobson is out doesn’t bode well for his chances of playing this week, but there’s still hope that he could return to practice tomorrow and on Thursday and play in Saturday’s game.
That remains to be seen, though, but keep an eye on his practice status tomorrow just in case. Dobson would likely have to make tomorrow’s practice in order to play, but I would consider him very doubtful this week. Not only did the Patriots re-sign veteran Austin Collie, but it looks like they have also signed a new wide receiver in anticipation of Dobson being absent (Collie’s signing was presumably as insurance at the position, as Josh Boyce previously went down again).
Howe tweets that there is a new wide receiver at practice donning the No. 84, and it will be interesting to see who the new Pats WR brandishing Deion Branch’s old number is. Branch, of course, signed with the Colts to play against his old team on Saturday.