While RT Jermaine Eluemunor was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, the Patriots got a host of good injury news — as several players returned to the practice field on Wednesday as the team went through a fully-padded session:
RG Shaq Mason (Covid)
DT Byron Cowart (Covid)
DE Derek Rivers (Covid)
DT Beau Allen (IR)
C David Andrews (IR)
LB Josh Uche (IR)
For the final three players, this starts the clock on their possible reinstatement to the active roster from IR. The team has 21 days to make a decision.
So many returning faces, must have felt like the first day of in-person school.
But will any of the players help them, as in this week against the 49ers — as the Patriots are faced with the prospect of starting 2-4?
A look at the returners in order of importance...
C David Andrews: I swear, David, this is the last time I do this. From now on, the stated opinion of BSJ the next time Andrews is lost to injury will be, "Might as well pack up offensively, because it's over." Last year we said the Patriots' offense would survive without the veteran center. WRONG. This year we just figured the Patriots would muddle through for three weeks. WRONG. Look, the Patriots beat the Raiders without him while Joe Thuney looked like a stud, but once other players started falling like dominoes on the line, the Patriots stunk it up offensively. What is abundantly clear right now is the Patriots have to run the ball well for the limited passing offense to have a chance at being efficient. That does not happen on a consistent basis without Andrews ... ever.
"It was exciting ... to see David’s energy and excitement to be back out there with us working," said LT Isaiah Wynn. "It’s also great having him out there as a captain and as a leader on the offensive line.’’
DT Byron Cowart: Normally this would be Mason's spot, but the Patriots were so bad the last two games defending the run without the Maryland product that we're going with Cowart ... until Carl Davis suits up and is ready to go. The Patriots, especially this week against the 49ers' running game, have to get back to two-gapping and walling up on the defensive line.
RG Shaq Mason: His calf is still limiting him in practice despite missing the previous two games. That's, um, concerning — and we wonder if that's the injury that limited him last year. At least the Patriots have Michael Onwenu around now to fill in admirably, though he's probably going to be needed at RT with Elumunor down.
DE Derek Rivers: Should be able to provide some instant depth to keep players fresh on the edge, and contribute the occasional sack. That's helpful.
LB Josh Uche: The Patriots' second draft pick went from training camp starter throughout, to healthy scratch in Week 1, and then an ankle injury that eventually landed him on IR. It would be a shock if he's suddenly activated for this game considering how it's gone for every other rookie not named Onwenu. The coaches are clearly not going to give a rookie a major role until they have earned it on the practice field. The past travails of the past two weeks have not helped. Even Anfernee Jennings can barely get on the field when the Patriots are having issues against the run, so I doubt Uche is going to jump him. Good news: Jennings played more snaps vs. Broncos (28) than he played in the first four games (25). Bad news ... it was probably because they couldn't stop the run.
DT Beau Allen: The man of intrigue takes the practice field for the first time as a Patriot! Round of applause. In all seriousness, the Patriots really need Allen in the middle of the line to be the best version of themselves, even though there are questions about how good he will be. This was a good start, but I wouldn't expect anything anytime soon.
"Yeah, it felt good getting back out there, and he missed a couple weeks at the beginning of the season, so have to get him through individual [drills], get him into some rushing team [drills], get him back, get him healthy ... I'm looking forward to seeing the improvement every single day," said Lawrence Guy, who has been looking for a running mate.
(Only appearance by Beau Allen at a Patriots practice before Wednesday.)