Gronk listed as ‘doubtful’
But will likely play, per report
Perhaps it’s fitting Rob Gronkowski’s return to Foxboro will ultimately come down to his health. After all, that was the only thing to ever hold him back as a Patriot.
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
On Friday, Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians told reporters Gronkowski will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s showdown against the Patriots. Gronkowski was later listed as doubtful on the team’s injury report. He missed all three practices this week.
Earlier Friday morning, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Gronkowski is likely to play. He suffered a rib injury in last weekend’s loss at the Rams and left the game for a long stretch. Bucs edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul, listed as questionable, is also a game-time decision, while running back Gio Bernard was ruled out.
Arians also said newly signed Tampa Bay cornerback Richard Sherman will be active Sunday in a reserve role. Sherman signed with the Bucs on Wednesday to help offset a rash of injuries in the secondary. Their defense took its latest hit Friday when starting corner Jamel Dean was ruled out for kickoff. Dean joins one-time nickelback Sean MurphyBunting on the sideline.
Against the Patriots, they figure to be replaced by new nickelback Ross Cockrell, backup Dee Delaney, Sherman and likely one of practice-squad corners Pierre Desir or Rashard Robinson.
Sherman said earlier this week it would be “foolish” to think he would see the field so quickly. His threeyear run in San Francisco was interrupted by a calf injury last season, when he played in just five games.
Jackson, Brown questionable
The Patriots added cornerback J.C. Jackson to their final injury report Friday, listing him as questionable with a new knee injury.
Jackson met with the media Friday afternoon for a previously scheduled Zoom interview with the media, usually a good sign for players’ availability on game day. Left tackle Isaiah Wynn and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, also listed as questionable, conducted interviews this week. Opposite Wynn, starting right tackle Trent Brown is questionable for the second straight week. He’s been a limited participant in seven straight practices since returning from the calf injury that sidelined him for most of the Patriots’ season opener.
Belichick repeats Brady praise
In his final public comments before kickoff, Bill Belichick left no doubt about how he feels toward Tom Brady on Friday.
“I think I’ve been on the record dozens of times saying there’s no quarterback I’d rather have than Tom Brady, and I still feel that way,” Belichick told reporters. “I was very lucky to have Tom as the quarterback and to coach him. He was as good as any coach could ever ask for.”
On Wednesday, Belichick declared there aren’t enough adjectives or superlatives to properly describe Brady’s career. The 44-yearold led the Patriots to all six of their Super Bowl titles, and the Buccaneers to their second Lombardi trophy last February. Brady and the Bucs currently lead the NFL in passing and rank tied for first in scoring.
Brady is 68 yards away from breaking the league’s all-time mark for career passing yards, a feat he’ll likely achieve Sunday. Drew Brees holds the record with 80,358 yards. Will the Patriots recognize Brady’s record if/when he breaks it?
“Honestly, we’re going to try to keep him from gaining too many yards passing the ball. So, I don’t know,” Belichick said. “You’d have to talk to somebody else about that.”
Pats move practice inside Gillette
For the second time this season, the Patriots moved practice inside Gillette Stadium on a Friday.
Players and coaches executed a non-padded walkthrough, as they do most Fridays. The focus is often on situational football and special teams, with first and second downs covered on Wednesday, followed by third-down and red-zone work on Thursdays. Belichick explained the benefits of practicing in the stadium Friday morning.
“Just the overall environment in there, the wind patterns in the kicking game. We get to experience those kind of the way they are, and that can affect some directional kicking, and obviously the returning that goes along with that. That’s probably the biggest thing, but just general familiarity with certain landmarks that each stadium has and so forth.”
Pats defensive tackle Davon Godchaux said he appreciated the change of location after practice.
“It’s pretty good because you know we’re gonna play in the stadium on Sunday, so we always have a chance to go in the stadium and practice, I think it’s pretty good for us,” Godchaux said. “Don’t want to be on the turf too much, you know? But when you get a chance to go in there, you gotta take advantage of it.”
White heads to IR
The Patriots placed running back James White on injured reserve Friday.
The move was expected once it was determined White had suffered a subluxation of his right hip during last weekend’s loss to the Saints. White had to be carted off the field after being helped to his feet by the team’s medical staff. According to a source, the Patriots believe his season is over.
White, 29, had successfully resumed his role as the Pats’ third-down back, after re-signing on a one-year contract in the offseason. His snaps are now expected to be divided between starting running back Damien Harris, second-year runner J.J. Taylor and Brandon Bolden, with fourth-round rookie Rhamondre Stevenson also in the mix.
White’s placement on injured reserve frees up a roster spot for the Patriots, who designated wide receiver N’Keal Harry to return off IR on Wednesday. Harry participated in all three practices this week, his first action since suffering a significant shoulder injury during a preseason game at Philadelphia in midAugust. Whenever he returns, Harry is expected to take over as the Patriots’ No. 4 wide receiver, which could be as soon as Sunday during their prime-time showdown against the Bucs.