Burkhead looks good to go

PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK

FOXBORO — The Patriots released their first injury report of the 2018 regular season, and the damage isn’t nearly as bad as expected.

The most positive news for Pats fans: Running back Rex Burkhead, who did not play in the preseason and was limited throughout training camp, was not listed. This means he qualifies as a full participant and, barring a setback, should be ready to suit up in Week 1 against the Texans.

Fellow running back Sony Michel was listed as a limited participant. He took part in positional drills during the portion of practice that was open to the media and appeared to be moving well.

Michel is returning from a knee injury that sidelined him from Aug.1-27.

“He missed some time, so he’s a little bit behind, but he’s working hard to catch up, on and off the field, in all areas,” said coach Bill Belichick.

Also limited yesterday: Linebacker Ja’Whan Bentley (illness), cornerback Duke Dawson (hamstring) and tight end Jacob Hollister (hamstring). Hollister missed the final two games of the preseason. He’s a potential breakout candidate as the No.2 tight end alongside Rob Gronkowski.

“I really liked getting out there those first two games, felt really confident, my body felt really good,” Hollister said. “I feel really good now, and I’m just hoping to do everything I can to get out there on Sunday.”

Offensive tackle Marcus Cannon (calf) and safety Nate Ebner (knee) were listed on the injury report as full participants.

Tough reminder

Dont’a Hightower didn’t play in last year’s Week 3 matchup with the Texans, but he was reminded of Deshaun Watson’s absurd improvisational skills when the team turned on the film from the game.

One sequence that stood out: On a second-and-22, Watson casually backpedaled to the left hashmark as Pats defensive tackle Lawrence Guy closed in. As Guy dove for the sack, Watson flung the ball to the other side of the field, finding tight end Ryan Griffin for an improbable 35-yard gain.

The game served as Watson’s coming-out party. Over the next four weeks, he went on to obliterate defenses, hanging an average of 40.5 points on the board.

“You always hear from commentators that in the NFL you’ll never be able to throw across the field or across your body,” Hightower said. “It just goes to show, on a scramble play, the bigplay ability that (Watson) has, as well as his elusiveness and his arm strength. It’s probably second to none.”

Watson is coming off a torn ACL suffered in early November, so his mobility in Sunday’s season opener remains to be seen . ...

Hightower introduced new elements into his training during the offseason to prevent injuries after tearing his pectoral muscle in Week7 last year and being placed on injured reserve.

“More acupuncture, soft tissue, things of that nature that I’m really educated on since the injury,” Hightower said. “I feel good now and I’ll continue on that throughout the year.”

Devin vs. time

Don’t expect a Devin McCourty docu-series anytime soon.

“Nobody would watch that,” McCourty said with a laugh.

Brady’s docu-series, Tom vs. Time, wrapped up with yesterday’s epilogue. In the final episode, Brady explained that he’s done “worrying about a lot of the (expletive) that people may say or think or feel. I really don’t care anymore.”

Brady also re-affirmed his desire to play until he’s 45 years old, but acknowledged that it will be “very hard” to do.