Uche ruled out
Edelman listed as questionable
The Patriots ruled out rookie linebacker Josh Uche for Sunday’s game at Seattle and listed wide receivers Julian Edelman and N’Keal Harry as questionable.
Uche was inactive for the team’s opener against Miami for game-plan reasons. The 60th overall pick flashed early in training camp, then ceded some of his time at inside linebacker with the starting defense to fellow rookie Anfernee Jennings. Jennings played eight snaps against the Dolphins.
Edelman and Harry both played in the opener, leading the Pats in receptions. However, Edelman was limited to 57% of snaps, perhaps due to the nagging knee injury that’s limited him in every practice over the past two weeks. Edelman declined to say whether he feels fresher when asked Thursday how his reduced playing time has affected him so far.
“I’m just happy to be out there playing and trying to contribute to my team. When they ask to use me, I’ll be ready to go,” Edelman said. “I don’t really think about a percentage of snaps that I take. I just worry about the ones that I do to go out and try to get my assignment and make a play. That’s what I’ll be thinking about.”
Special teams captain Matthew Slater was also listed as questionable with a new knee injury. He was limited for the first time on Friday, traditionally a walkthrough practice.
Defensive tackle Adam Butler (shoulder), linebacker Brandon Copeland (knee) and tight end Dalton Keene (neck) are also questionable. Keene was limited Friday after participating fully in Thursday’s practice.
Seahawks wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, who spent three seasons in New England, is questionable with a foot injury.
Harry learns lessons
A third-quarter fumble in Sunday’s opener rightfully overshadowed a solid showing from Harry.
By losing the ball through the end zone, Harry handed the Dolphins new life in a game the Pats may have ended early had he scored. Reflecting on the play Friday, the former first-round pick admitted he must play better as one of the Patriots’ primary playmakers this season
“Just better ball security, especially down there on the goal line. It’s a lesson learned,” he said. “I’m glad I learned it early in the season. Try to make sure it doesn’t happen again moving forward.”
Harry also addressed his first catch, which ended with him thumping down to the sideline after taking a hit from Miami cornerback Jomal Perry, who stands five inches shorter and 35 pounds later.
“Yeah I just didn’t expect the hit. Didn’t lower my shoulders in time,” he said. “So moving forward just make sure I keep my pads lower.”
Harry finished with five catches for 39 yards.
Happy to hit the road
The Patriots’ first road game of the year not only means leaving Foxboro for the first time this season. For players, it means leaving a semibubble for the first time since training camp started in late July.
“That’s the biggest excitement you have — the first road trip. You’re like, ‘Hey we’ll go out here, go to the hotel, see somebody else’s facility, play a different team in their home city,” Pats defensive tackle Lawrence Guy said. “You don’t have that fan aspect but you still have the atmosphere that this is not your field, it’s somebody else’s field.”
Earlier this week, quarterback Cam Newton described the last several weeks as feeling like Groundhog Day for players, referring to constant COVID-19 testing and day-today routine. The Pats broke from a traditional game-week routine on Friday by flying out that afternoon to give players additional time to adjust to the time-zone difference in Seattle. Upon arrival, the Pats expect to still be limited in their ability to travel, but at least they’ll be somewhere new.
“You know everybody is trying to keep us safe. Keeping us all in line, the hotel, how that’s all lined up,” Guy said. “So going out there knowing … that everybody that’s inside is getting tested and that we’re pretty much in a safe zone, like a mini bubble, that concern that you have is not really there because you understand that the team and the league is doing the best they can to keep every single player healthy.”