Brown, Simon on outs
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
FOXBORO — The Patriots were without two contributors along the defensive line against the Chiefs, as Malcom Brown (knee) and John Simon (shoulder) were among the team’s seven inactive players.
Brown suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury in Week 5 against the Colts. Multiple teammates waved on the Patriots medical staff shortly after Brown collided with linebacker Dont’a Hightower. He spent the remainder of the game on the sideline.
The injury wasn’t as severe as initially feared. Brown was a limited practice participant all week, but couldn’t get healthy enough to suit up against the Chiefs.
After a three-game absence due to a groin injury, cornerback Eric Rowe returned. Rowe was pulled after the second series against the Jaguars in Week 2. He returned for one play in the second half, allowing a 22-yard reception to Keelan Cole. He missed the next three games.
A long, athletic cornerback, Rowe has battled with groin issues throughout his career. A groin injury kept him out from Weeks 5-12 a year ago. Rowe was the team’s No. 2 cornerback opposite Stephon Gilmore throughout the summer, but veteran Jason McCourty performed well in his absence. McCourty retained the role last night.
A trio of skill-position players battling injuries suited up, as wide receiver Chris Hogan (thigh), tight end Rob Gronkowski (ankle) and running back Sony Michel (knee) were active. Hogan missed a Thursday practice and was walking through the locker room with a large wrap on his leg.
Second-year defensive end Derek Rivers was active for only the second time all season. He had been a healthy scratch in four of the first five games.
Rookie cornerback J.C. Jackson was inactive. He got bumped off the 46man roster when Rowe returned. Fellow rookie Keion Crossen was active over Jackson.
Schedule daze
The NFL can be a confusing place.
In the second week of the season, the Jaguars looked borderline unbeatable, imposing their will on the Patriots in a blowout victory. And now?
Well, the Jags are 3-3, losers of two straight. They’ve been dismantled in consecutive weeks, yesterday, 40-7, on the road against the underwhelming Cowboys. The point:
Things fluctuate week to week in the league. Until we reach the midway point of the season, it’s difficult to discern which teams face a challenging upcoming schedule.
But right now, the numbers suggest the Patriots won’t have many lay-up games coming up. Only one of their remaining opponents — the Bills — currently has a losing record. Four future opponents head into Week 7 with winning records: Pittsburgh (32-1), Minnesota (3-2-1), Chicago (3-2) and Miami (4-2). Green Bay, which plays San Francisco tonight, could join that group with a victory.
The Patriots’ Week 7 opponent, the Bears, might be the toughest to read. Their front seven can completely wreck a game (expect to hear that from Bill Belichick throughout the week), but they surrendered 31 points to a Brock Osweiler-led Dolphins team in yesterday’s loss. Osweiler hung 380 passing yards on a unit that is regarded as one of the league’s best.
The Pats won’t see the Steelers until Week 15, just like last year, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see those teams surge to the top of the AFC standings come December. The Steelers seem to be finding a groove after a shaky start. Pittsburgh won its second straight game yesterday, knocking out the Bengals on a 31-yard catch-and-run by Antonio Brown with 10 seconds remaining.
One benefit for the Pats: Two of their most difficult remaining games are at home. The Packers and Vikings visit Gillette Stadium in Weeks 9 and 13, respectively. If he’s healthy, Aaron Rodgers’ trip to Foxboro in Week 9 will mark his first regular season game at Gillette. When the Packers visited in 2010, Rodgers missed the game with a concussion.
Honored guests
The Patriots honored cancer survivors on the field prior to kickoff. Eugene Grissom, the father of defensive end Geneo Grissom, was honored. Eugene overcame multiple myeloma, a blood cancer . . . .
Geraint Thomas, the 2018 Tour de France winner, was in attendance.