Gronkowski, Michel join traveling party
TE likely out, RB may play
NASHVILLE — Rob Gronkowski made the trip to Tennessee and remains questionable for the Patriots’ Week 10 matchup with the Titans. But a source indicated that Gronkowski is not expected to play. This would be Gronkowski’s third absence in the past four games.
The Patriots are hoping to get him closer to full health as they make their annual push for the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a Super Bowl berth. Speaking at his locker on Friday, Gronkowski reiterated that he’s working hard to “get back to where (he) needs to be.” “That’s the track I’m looking at,” Gronkowski said. “I just see positivity. I see it going strong in the future.” Like Gronkowski, rookie running back Sony Michel made the trip to Nashville, and could be in line for a return after missing the past two weeks with a knee injury. Michel quickly emerged as a workhorse tailback in October, averaging 105 yards on 22 carries from Weeks 4-6. He got off to a hot start in Week 7 versus the Bears, but was injured on the opening play of the second quarter and hasn’t played since. The Patriots have been able to get by in recent weeks without Michel, often using wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson as the top between-the-tackles running back. The 6-foot-2, 228pound Patterson ripped off consecutive runs of 10, 17, 8, and 5 yards on a secondquarter drive against Green Bay. If he suits up this afternoon, Michel figures to handle most of the carries out of the New England backfield. The Patriots ruled out right guard Shaq Mason with a calf injury. He did not make the trip. Ted Karras will likely start in Mason’s place. This will be Karras’ fifth start since joining the Pats in 2016.
The athletic type
Bill Belichick seems to discuss the challenges of facing an athletic quarterback during each of his Wednesday press conferences. That’s the nature of today’s NFL. The Patriots are one of the few successful offenses with a standstill passer. The scouting report on Tennessee’s Marcus Mariota? One word from Belichick: Fast. “He outruns a lot of people,” Belichick said. “He’s fast and athletic. [Mitch] Trubisky’s a big, strong kid. [Deshaun] Watson ,[ Blake] Bortles – Mariota’s, I would say, faster and more athletic than they are.” When the Patriots defense has struggled, athletic quarterbacks and pass-catching running backs have given the trouble. Trubisky piled up 81 rushing yards Week 7. In the early part of last season’s schedule, Watson and Cam Newton created big passing plays with their mobility and converted third downs on the ground. The collective athleticism of the Patriots linebackers remains a concern. Since Mariota took over as Tennessee’s quarterback, the Titans are 9-1 when he rushes for 40 yards or more. He totaled 37 yards on the ground in last year’s AFC Divisional Round loss to New England. Twenty-two of those yards came on a first-quarter scoring drive. Mariota suffered a quad injury on an 11-yard scamper during that drive, and his mobility was compromised for the remainder of the night.
Wait continues
The Patriots did not move rookie cornerback Duke Dawson to the active roster prior to today’s game. The second-round pick out of Florida remains on injured reserve. Dawson went on IR with a nagging hamstring injury prior to the season opener. He began practicing on Oct. 24. He must be moved to the active roster by Nov. 13 in order to play this season. If not, he’ll finish the season on injured reserve. The Patriots are well stocked at cornerback, so Dawson might struggle to find playing time if he returns. Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, Jonathan Jones, and J.C. Jackson have all established roles on the New England defense.