New England’s roster shuffles again as a string of injuries forces the Patriots to start backups against Chicago on Thursday night.
Key points
- The Patriots will start backups at guard and cornerback after injuries to Alijah Vera‑Tucker, Ben Brown, Carlton Davis and others.
- Wide receiver A.J. Brown is cleared to play after returning from injured reserve, providing a boost to the offense.
- The Bears also face key absences, including running back Kyle Monangai and linebacker Jack Sanborn, which could affect the matchup.
- Coach Vrabel’s halftime candy story highlights the team’s locker‑room culture, while quarterback Drake Maye takes on a leadership role as the NFLPA representative.
The New England Patriots announced Wednesday that five players will miss Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Bears, including starting left guard Alijah Vera‑Tucker and cornerback Carlton Davis, according to a team release posted on the Boston Globe website.
The list details interior lineman Ben Brown (knee) and Vera‑Tucker (hamstring) as unavailable after sustaining injuries in Sunday’s win over the Jets; neither participated in practice this week. At the defensive back level, Davis (neck), Karon Prunty (hamstring) and Channing Canada (hamstring) are also sidelined, with Davis missing his third consecutive game and fourth of the season.
Injury report
Coach Bill Belichick’s staff plans to plug Walter Rouse and Matt Pryor into the left‑ and right‑guard spots, respectively. On the outside, rookie Charles Woods, who recorded his first career interception last Sunday, is slated to start opposite Christian Gonzalez at cornerback. The Patriots listed safeties Kevin Byard (chest) and Craig Woodson (shoulder), linebacker Christian Elliss (chest) and right tackle Morgan Moses (foot) as questionable, noting that Moses saw limited practice but could still suit up.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown, who returned from injured reserve this week, received a clean bill of health despite dropping several passes in his first game back, the report says. The Patriots may also activate 2025 seventh‑round pick Marcus Bryant from IR or elevate up to two practice‑squad players—interior linemen such as Jake Kubas, Xavier Newman‑Johnson, Jacob Rizy or Andrew Rupcich are mentioned as likely candidates.
Depth‑chart adjustments
Chicago is dealing with its own injury woes. Running back Kyle Monangai (thumb, toe) and linebacker Jack Sanborn (concussion) are ruled out, while linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) is doubtful and defensive back Tyrique Stevenson (hip) is listed as questionable. Monangai’s absence marks his third straight game missed.
In a lighter moment, head coach Bill Vrabel recalled giving rookie Charles Woods a Jolly Rancher during halftime, a gesture that earned Woods the nickname “JR.” Vrabel said, “He was like, ‘Coach, can I get a Jolly Rancher?’ … I was like, ‘Are you serious?’ … Yeah, sure, have a Jolly Rancher.”
Bears’ health update
Quarterback Drake Maye, one of the Patriots’ four NFL Players’ Association representatives, said serving as the team’s voting rep is “an honor” and that he hopes to learn more about league operations to help both coaches and players.
Reader questions
Which Patriots players are listed as questionable for Thursday’s game?
Safeties Kevin Byard (chest) and Craig Woodson (shoulder), linebacker Christian Elliss (chest) and right tackle Morgan Moses (foot) are marked as questionable.
What injuries have the Bears reported ahead of the game?
Chicago has ruled out running back Kyle Monangai (thumb, toe) and linebacker Jack Sanborn (concussion); linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) is doubtful and defensive back Tyrique Stevenson (hip) is questionable.
Who is expected to start at left guard for the Patriots?
Walter Rouse is slated to start at left guard, with Matt Pryor taking the right‑guard spot.
Source: bostonglobe.com
