Michel, Cannon can’t go
Gronk, McCoy will play
FOXBORO — The Patriots downgraded two starters to out for tonight’s game against the Bills in Buffalo.
Rookie running back Sony Michel and offensive tackle Marcus Cannon did not make the trip to upstate New York. Backup defensive end Geneo Grissom also was ruled out.
Michel suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury on the first play of the second quarter a week ago in Chicago. The Pats received some good news the following day when an MRI revealed no structural damage.
The standout rookie skipped practices on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before returning to the field on Saturday. He could be available for next week’s Sunday night matchup with Green Bay.
Cannon suffered a concussion in Week 6 against the Chiefs. This will be his second consecutive missed game. The team’s starting right tackle practiced in a limited capacity all week. It’s the second concussion he’s dealt with since last season.
LaAdrian Waddle figures to draw the start at right tackle tonight.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski, listed as questionable with ankle and back injuries, made the trip to Buffalo. Bills running back LeSean
McCoy cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play tonight, according to ESPN.
McCoy is far and away the Bills’ most dangerous offensive weapon. He totaled 202 yards from scrimmage in Weeks 5 and 6. McCoy exited early in Week 7 because of the concussion.
Frustrating season
This has been an unusually quiet season for Gronkowski, who has failed to reach 100 yards or score a touchdown since Week 1.
It’s been an even more disappointing year for Gronkowksi’s backup, talented second-year tight end Jacob Hollister.
An undrafted free agent out of Wyoming, Hollister turned heads during the summer of his rookie year. He appeared to take another step forward this past summer, flashing an enticing combination of athleticism and quickness. He looked to be in the mold of a “move” tight end, a perfect complement to Gronkowski.
We’ve hardly seen the Gronkowski-Hollister combination, though, because Hollister can’t stay on the field.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Hollister has appeared in only three of the Patriots’ seven games, catching three passes for 35 yards. He’s already been ruled out tonight because of a hamstring injury.
“It’s been an obviously frustrating season so far with injuries, but there’s really nothing you can do about it,” Hollister said.
An indication of Hollister’s potential? Bill Belichick dropped a rare comment this summer when asked about the young tight end.
“He’s still got a long way to go,” Belichick said in August. “He has a lot of football in front of him. He didn’t have a lot of experience — had some — but has gained a lot and will gain a lot more. I think he’s got a great future.”
Hollister dealt with a hamstring injury in training camp that lingered into the beginning of the regular season, missed two games with a chest injury, and then popped up on the injury report again last week because of the hamstring.
“Before this year, I don’t think I’ve ever missed a game because of injury,” Hollister said. “It’s been a new thing for me, and something that I’m just taking in stride. I don’t think I’ve ever missed a practice.”
“I’ve played through a fractured foot. I’ve played through shoulder injuries. But something like a hamstring, I’ve got to be able to run. So that’s why it’s frustrating.”
As Hollister has learned, soft tissue injuries can be tricky.
“I’ve never really had them,” Hollister said. “It’s something I tried to stay on top of, stay ahead of. Really, I’ve been trying to do that. I think I’ve done a good job of that in the past, but obviously something is missing there. So I’m just trying to stay on top of it.”
With Hollister inactive for all but three games, the Patriots have relied on Gronkowski and Dwayne
Allen, who is almost exclusively a blocking tight end.
Wild atmosphere
Buffalo hasn’t hosted a Monday night game since 2009.
Bills fans mightbe a tad bit excited for this one.
Just ask Gronkowski, who grew up just outside of the city.
“It’s going to be nuts, hands down,” Gronkowski said. “The games are nuts on a Sunday at 1:00. From Buffalo, they’re going to be starting early. The party is going to probably be starting at 10:00 a.m., and it’s going to go until after the game, maybe even longer. It’s going to be popping, just straight popping.”