The New England Patriots injury picture got some clarity Friday ahead of the AFC Championship game in Denver on Sunday, with updates on two important defensive players.
Following the Patriots victory, by a 28-16 score, over the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round last Sunday, the resurgent six-time Super Bowl-winning franchise faced uncertainty headed into the conference championship.
Would the Patriots be forced to face the Denver Broncos shorthanded, with injuries to two important players?
At least some of that uncertainty appeared to be cleared up as the Patriots took the field for Friday’s practice in Foxborough, Massachusetts — their final session before boarding a flight to Denver on Saturday — when eight-year veteran cornerback Carlton Davis took the field wearing a dark blue Patriots jersey.
Why is the color of Davis’ jersey important? Simply because until Friday, Davis was in the NFL’s concussion protocol after being ruled out of the game against Houston with a late head injury. Players who have reached the fourth level of the five-step protocol may practice with the team, but must wear a red jersey, signifying that they may not engage in physical contact drills.
The fact that Davis practiced wearing Patriots blue indicates that he has cleared concussion protocol and would be eligible to play in Sunday’s AFC Championship game.
Patriots Still in Cautionary Mode With Landry
Davis has had a somewhat uneven season since signing with the Patriots on a three-year, $60 million contract last March. Pro Football Focus grades Davis at 67.9, ranking him 35th out of 114 NFL corners.
But his six defensive pass interference penalties in the regular season plus three more in two playoff games have dampened Davis’ overall effectiveness.
By contrast, the Patriots’ other starting cornerback, Christian Gonzalez, has been flagged for DPI just once in the regular season, and so far not at all in the postseason.
Nonetheless, the Patriots need a healthy Davis and based on Friday’s practice, it appears they will have him. But they may not be quite as fortunate with another important defensive player, linebacker Harold Landry, who continues to battle a knee injury.
Landry Absent From Practice
The 29-year-old Landry, who played for the Tennessee Titans under coach Mike Vrabel, now coach of the Patriots, from his rookie year of 2018 through 2023, has not been present at any of the three team practices leading up to the AFC Championship game, missing the final session of the week on Friday.
The Patriots’ official injury report lists Landry with a knee injury. But after signing as a free agent on a three-year, $43.5 million contract, Landry missed only two games in the regular season and has appeared in both playoff games.
Landry has recorded 8½ sacks this season, but has none since the Patriots’ Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills — the only game the Patriots have lost since Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Landry ‘Out’ For Game in Denver
At his press conference following Friday’s practice, Vrabel confirmed that Landry is not ruled out for the AFC Championship game in Denver, according to longtime ESPN.com Patriots beat writer Mike Reiss.
Davis, according to Vrabel, is currently listed as questionable, as is wide receiver Mack Hollins, who is eligible to come off the injured reserve list where he has been for four weeks with an abdomen injury. Linebacker Marte Mapu is also questionable with a hip issue, Vrabel announced.
Patriots Get Bad News on Harold Landry After Carlton Davis Update