Concussion puts Gilmore on shelf
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Cornerback Stephon Gilmore is coming off his best game of the season, but he won’t get a chance to string backto-back performances together.
The Patriots last night downgraded Gilmore (concussion), linebacker Harvey Langi (back) and running back Rex Burkhead (ribs) to out for today’s game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. They ruled out cornerback Eric Rowe (groin) on Friday.
Gilmore hasn’t been listed on the injury report with a concussion all season, though he was a gametime decision in Week 5 against the Buccaneers with an ankle injury, so it’s unclear when the latest injury occurred. It can sometimes take days for the symptoms of a concussion to materialize, so the addition to the injury report doesn’t necessarily mean it occurred after the final practice of the week.
Without Gilmore and Rowe, cornerback Malcolm Butler will obviously be the Patriots’ top asset at the position, and Jonathan Jones is expected to start on the other side.
Gilmore, who signed a five-year, $65 million contract in March, was involved in a myriad of communication issues in the first four games, but he thrived against Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans. What’s more, his teammates rallied behind him in a show of support after the criticism he had taken.
Langi was involved in a serious car accident Friday night in Foxboro and will take some time to recover.
Meanwhile, defensive tackle Alan Branch, who was benched last week against the Buccaneers, made the trip to New Jersey with the Patriots, according to a source, so it seems likely he’ll return to the lineup.
Slater glad to be back
It was the first time Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater had ever torn a hamstring.
“And hopefully the last,” he said.
Slater made his season debut against the Buccaneers after a two-month recovery process, and he was actually grateful for that timeline. He knew something was wrong when he slowly walked off the practice field early in training camp, and several visits to doctors and MRIs affirmed the tear.
But the silver lining was that Slater didn’t need surgery, and coach Bill
Belichick wasn’t going to place him on injured reserve, which would have wiped out at least half of his regular season.
“I told my wife I’m just hoping to get back on the field this year,” Slater said. “I’m thankful to just be back on the field. It’s something you can never take for granted. I’m certainly appreciative of coach giving me the opportunity to return and play this year.”
The fallout of the missed time might spell the end of Slater’s six-year Pro Bowl streak, though he wasn’t terribly concerned. The 32-year-old is just happy to be back in the mix and ready for his second game today against the Jets.
“It was really satisfying, certainly a frustrating time being away and being hurt,” Slater said. “You work so hard in the offseason to prepare yourself for the season. I’m just thankful I was able to get myself healthy again to get back out there with my teammates.”
Safety concerns
The Jets’ talented pair of starting safeties, who ooze potential, are about to experience a test unlike one they’ve ever seen. Thy name is Tom Brady. The Jets spent their first two picks in April’s draft on Jamal Adams (No. 6 overall, first safety off the board) and Marcus Maye (No. l39, fifth safety) as part of their offseason overhaul. Though it might be questionable to double up on safeties in a draft, the duo could be explosive on the back end of their defense in the coming years.
Their problem is in the present, though, as Brady has historically exposed safeties of all calibers. He spoke highly of Adams and Maye this week, but it’s not like he was going to advertise his plans for the inexperienced pair.
“They’re playing really well,” Brady said. “I think for two young guys to be in there, have their team 3-2 and their defense playing as well as they have been speaks a lot about them and the confidence the coaches have in them. It’s a good group. I think they’re playing well. Even their sub safety (Terrence Brooks) is really good. They’ve got a really good room.”
Again, kill them with kindness. Expect Brady to put on a clinic against Adams and Maye while they’re still green enough to remain unaware of the veteran’s tricks. Adams and Maye will surely make some plays of their own, but Brady will keep them off-balance far more often than not.
“Adams and Maye have done a good job for them in there,” Belichick said.
Miked up
Running back Mike Gillislee leads the Patriots with 69 carries, 246 yards and four touchdowns, and Belichick knows he is close to breaking one for a home run. Gillislee’s longest carry of the season has traversed just 16 yards.
“I like having Mike,” Belichick said. “Mike has certainly given us a lot of tough yards. He’s an explosive player. He hasn’t really hit them yet, but I don’t think there’s any doubt that those are going to happen. He’s been close a few times, so hopefully he’ll start this week.”