Gronk backs out of trip
TE doubtful for today’s game
FOXBORO — The Patriots will likely be without star tight end Rob Gronkowski when they face the Bears this afternoon.
Gronkowski, who is dealing with back and ankle injuries, has been downgraded to doubtful.
He did not travel with the team to Chicago, according to multiple reports.
Gronkowski was questionable for the Week 6 victory over the Chiefs due to the ankle injury, but he played and caught three passes for 97 yards, including a 39-yard reception that set up the game-winning field goal.
Gronkowski was limited Wednesday and Thursday with the ankle injury. A back injury was added to Friday’s practice report.
The Patriots haven’t yet ruled out Gronkowski, as the possibility exists that he’ll fly separately in time for kickoff. That seems unlikely, however.
Without Gronkowski, the Pats will be relying on Dwayne Allen as their only tight end. He’s expected to contribute mostly as a blocker, though. In the two games Gronkowski missed a year ago, Allen played 106 offensive snaps and mustered two receptions for 10 yards.
Second-year tight end Jacob Hollister, a talented pass catcher who has struggled to stay healthy, was downgraded to out. He’s nursing a hamstring injury.
Defensive ends John Simon (shoulder) and Geneo Grissom (ankle) were also ruled out.
Gilmore deal adds cap space
The Patriots adjusted the contract of cornerback Stephon Gilmore and freed up cap space for a potential trade near the deadline.
The Pats now have $5.379 million in cap space, according to NFLPA records.
To create the room, Gilmore converted a portion of his base salary — which originally was $8.5 million — into a fully guaranteed roster bonus, which will be prorated over four years. This is a common tactic for teams looking to carve out short-term cap space.
With more than $5 million, the Pats will have flexibility in the event that a player gets injured and lands on IR, which would prompt the team to sign a free agent. It also gives the Pats the ability to make a move at the trade deadline. In past years, they’ve acquired players such as linebacker Kyle Van Noy, defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and linebackers Jonathan Casillas and Akeem Ayers.
Once again, the Pats could be in the market for a linebacker at midseason. The current depth chart consists of Dont’a Hightower, Van Noy, Elandon Roberts and Nicholas Grigsby.
It’s rare for high-profile players with expensive contracts to be dealt at the trade deadline. Generally, October trades involve players nearing the end of their rookie contracts.
Linebacker is the most obvious area of need, but the Pats could stand to upgrade depth at several other positions. Running back is unusually thin. The Pats do not have a true backup to strong safety Patrick Chung. And offensive tackle depth could be considered an issue. Marcus Cannon is dealing with a concussion for the second consecutive year.
Travel notes
The Patriots ruled out Cannon prior to making the trip to Chicago. LaAdrian Waddle will likely get the start at right tackle, drawing the Khalil Mack matchup.
The sixth-year veteran has started five games for the Pats over the past two seasons, including a Week 11 tilt a year ago with Mack and the Oakland Raiders. Waddle fared well against Mack, allowing two pressures.
Other than Gronkowski, the players listed as questionable made the trip: wide receivers Julian Edelman (heel) and Josh Gordon (hamstring), running back Sony Michel (knee), cornerback Eric Rowe (groin) and defensive tackle Malcom Brown (ankle).
A play away
The Pats became precariously thin in the backfield after Jeremy Hill and
Rex Burkhead landed on injured reserve.
Lately, it’s been all Michel and
James White. The duo has combined for 609 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns over the Patriots’ three-game winning streak.
The backup to both players is veteran Kenjon Barner, who has experience as a pass-catching back and showed burst and power running between the tackles in limited action a week ago.
The Pats gave Michel and White a breather on their third offensive series against the Chiefs, and Barner delivered immediate production.
“It was a blessing,” said Barner, who has been on and off the Patriots roster since Burkhead went down. “Just to be able to get out there, get in the game early, contribute to the game, make an impact on the game. An absolute blessing.”
On his second carry, Barner got through the line and bounced off Chiefs linebacker Reggie Ragland, picking up 10 yards. He displayed im- pressive strength for his size (5-foot-9, 195 pounds).
“I view myself as the type of back that can go get it any way possible, whether that’s running outside or running inside,” Barner said. “It doesn’t matter how you give me the ball. My job is to go out there and make plays.”
A 28-year-old veteran who spent time with the Eagles and Panthers before coming to New England, Barner has never rushed for more than 129 yards in a season. He’s the next man up if Michel or White go down.
In the meantime, he’s not putting any additional pressure on himself.
“This is football. I’ve been doing this since I was a freshman in high school. The game doesn’t change,” Barner said. “The expectations change as you get to higher (levels). There’s more up for grabs. But it’s football at the end of the day. It’s fun. There’s no need to put pressure on yourself.”