The third New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills matchup of the season sees the two teams owning very different injury reports. Let’s compare and contrast the injury reports for the Patriots and Bills heading into Wild Card Weekend.
Update: OT Isaiah Wynn is inactive for the Patriots but all of the other questionable players are active. Meanwhile, Efe Obada is inactive for the Bills after being on the injury report this week.
New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills injury report
These two teams played out two very different games in the regular season. Weather heavily impacted the first matchup, and New England won thanks to a breakaway touchdown run from Damien Harris.
However, in the second meeting, the Bills overcame several absences to take an 11-point victory in New England. Now heading into the third meeting, the Patriots could be dealing with a number of injuries on Wild Card Weekend.
Patriots injury report has 13 players listed as questionable
- C David Andrews (Shoulder) – Questionable
- RB Damien Harris (Hamstring) – Questionable
- WR Jakobi Meyers (Thigh) – Questionable
- OT Isaiah Wynn (Hip/Ankle) – Questionable
- DT Christian Barmore (Knee) – Questionable
- DL Lawrence Guy (Shoulder) – Questionable
- LB Dont’a Hightower (Knee) – Questionable
- DB Cody Davis (Wrist) – Questionable
- LB Brandon King (Toe) – Questionable
- LB Jamie Collins Sr. (Ankle) – Questionable
- DB Kyle Dugger (Hand) – Questionable
- DB Adrian Phillips (Knee) – Questionable
- K Nick Folk (Left Knee) – Questionable
The Patriots may be playing some games with the Bills with their injury report heading into Wild Card Weekend. New England hasn’t cleared or ruled out a single player on their injury report. Not one of them was considered as a full participant on Thursday, leaving the Bills guessing as to who might be available Saturday night.
There are critical names across the Patriots’ injury report
There are four critical members of the offense on this list in Harris, Meyers, Andrews, and Wynn. It seems likely Harris, Meyers, and Andrews will be available, but Wynn’s status is up in the air. The somewhat injury-prone offensive tackle was a non-participant on Wednesday and Thursday after being limited on Tuesday.
On the defense, there are a number of intriguing players listed as questionable. Barmore was considered the biggest risk coming out of Week 18, so his ability to get on the practice field is promising.
Dugger and Hightower both missed last week’s game. Hightower seemed to be more of a precaution, but Dugger’s availability seems promising after New England listed him as a limited participant all week.
Folk’s presence on the injury report may seem alarming at first. Yet, the Patriots kicker has been listed as questionable with a left knee injury since Week 13. He has played every game during that time.
A clean bill of health on Buffalo’s injury report
- WR Emmanuel Sanders (Knee)
- DE Efe Obada (Ankle)
- WR Cole Beasley (Veteran Rest)
- WR Stefon Diggs (Veteran Rest)
The Bills really could not ask for things to be much better. Buffalo will have all of their top players available for this meeting. After beating the Patriots in Week 16 with some key players missing, the Bills should be confident entering this matchup at full strength.