Harris and Eluemunor among 13 questionable
Edelman practiced three times this week, could make his return
Of all the injured Patriots, two stood out on the team’s final injury report Friday and the most famous wasn’t even named.
Running back Damien Harris and offensive tackle Jeremaine Eluemunor are the only players listed as questionable who were not limited in every practice this week. Harris was a new addition Thursday with an ankle injury, while Eluemunor returned to the field Friday after a one-day absence. Both played last week at the Rams in a Thursday night loss.
If Eluemunor cannot play Sunday in Miami, he’s likely to be replaced by rookie Justin Herron, who is also questionable with an ankle injury. In all, the Pats are calling 14 players questionable, most of whom played the past three weeks after receiving the same injury designation.
Still on injured reserve, veteran wide receiver Julian Edelman has missed seven straight games, but could return Sunday. Edelman practiced three times this week, his first action since undergoing knee surgery for a chronic injury that’s limited him all year. Two Sundays ago, an ESPN report stated the 34-year-old was “a couple weeks away” from playing again.
Despite his extended layoff, Edelman still ranks third on the team in receiving yards with 315.
In Miami, tight end Mike Gesicki and wide receivers DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant were all listed as questionable. Gesicki missed practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury he suffered in the team’s home loss to Kansas City last week. The third-year tight end was “really hurting” after the game, according to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was removed from the Dolphins’ injury report Friday after being limited earlier in the week.
Asiasi grateful to be back on the field
Tragedy has struck the Patriots throughout their 2020 season.
The latest victim was rookie tight end Devin Asiasi, who lost a close friend, Ueta Savelio Muasika
Jr., after he was shot and killed in late October. Asiasi was subsequently placed on injured reserve and missed several games before finally making his return to practice a month later. Against the Rams, he played 23 offensive snaps and saw one target in his first game action since the shooting.
The third-round rookie said he’s been able to re-focus after handling a difficult situation.
“We all grew up with each other. I’ve known him as damn near a big brother to me. So it was like, it’s all of us, growing up where I grew up. He was just a hard-working man, an inspiration to all of us, in my neighborhood, in my city of San Mateo. The situation is just tragic,” Asiasi said. “It’s just something I would never ever want to relive ever in my life. I know he’s in a better place.”
Asiasi has yet to record a catch in six games, but acquitted himself well as a blocker. He and fellow third-round rookie Dalton Keene will be the Pats’ only available tight ends in Miami, with starter Ryan Izzo on injured reserve.
“I think it’s about us just going out there and executing, not doing anything special, not doing anything too crazy,” he said. “Just going out there, knowing our assignments, everybody doing their job and then executing the way we know we can.”
Jackson chasing Dolphins’ CB
Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson led the NFL in interceptions earlier this season.
That time did not last. Thanks to Dolphins Pro Bowl corner Xavien Howard, Jackson was knocked off the top of the interception leaderboard. Howard has picked off a pass in five straight games, giving him nine on the season. Jackson ranks second with seven interceptions, a fact he is well aware of heading into Sunday’s game.
“Oh, man. Do you really want me to answer that?” Jackson began Friday. “I mean, I don’t really look at — X is a great shutdown cornerback. He’s got nine picks. I’ve got seven. I’m not too far behind. He motivates me to get more picks.”
Jackson later praised Howard’s ball skills. Last week, he reached back for a one-handed pick in the end zone against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Jackson called him “a good man-to-man corner.”
“Man, X, keep doing what you’re doing, man. He’s setting the standard right now,” Jackson said. “He’s setting the bar. So I’ve got to go get it.”
Belichick’s message
Patriots rookie offensive tackle Michael Onwenu has often been praised by his coaches this season for being attentive in meetings and a quick study.
On Friday, he shared what he’s learned most recently from Bill Belichick, who’s been consistent in his message despite the team’s up-and-down season.
“He’s just been preaching we have a good team, we’ve just been beating ourselves,” Onwenu said. “It’s true, and we’re focusing on fundamentals and focusing on everything that we’re doing wrong trying to get it right. I think that’s the biggest thing he’s been preaching on the team as a whole.”