Patriot Maven Notebook: Patriots-Dolphins Injury Reports, Snow Day in Foxboro and More

The New England Patriots may be without one of their most prolific players in their defensive backfield when they take on the Miami Dolphins in Week Eighteen.

The New England Patriots continue their preparations for their Week Eighteen matchup with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, January 9, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The teams are set for battle in a pivotal game which has significant implications for the Patriots postseason aspirations. From Thursday’s practice notes to some weather-related news, here are the latest Pats news and notes, courtesy of the Patriot Maven Notebook.

Patriots-Dolphins Injury Report - Thursday, January 6, 2022

The Patriots and Dolphins once again hit the practice fields for practice on Thursday. While each side avoided major changes to the report, there are still some players on which Patriots fans, and Dolphins fans might want to keep watch heading into Sunday’s matchup.

Here is Thursday’s full report:

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-6)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

DB Kyle Dugger, Hand

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

WR Nelson Agholor, Concussion

C David Andrews, Shoulder

DL Christian Barmore, Knee

RB Brandon Bolden, Knee

DB Cody Davis, Wrist

K Nick Folk, Left Knee

RB Damien Harris, Hamstring

LB Dont'a Hightower, Knee

WR Jakobi Meyers, Thigh

S Adrian Phillips, Knee

T Isaiah Wynn, Hip

FULL AVAILABILITY

No Players Listed.

What It Means: Patriots

For the second straight day, safety Kyle Dugger was absent from practice with a hand injury. While it is still possible that Dugger may be able to suit up on Sunday, missing consecutive days of practice is usually not a good sign. Thus far, in 2021, the Pats have heavily used both big nickel (five defensive backs) and dime (six defensive backs) defensive packages in 2021. Dugger has seen action alongside Adrian Phillips and Devin McCourty when three safeties are deployed in the secondary. He has been most effective when used against tight ends and receiving backs out of the backfield. If Dugger is unable to go on Sunday, it may make things a bit easier for Miami to make things happen in the middle of the field.

Wide receiver Nelson Agholor was once again limited in action, as he continues to recover from a concussion, which he suffered in Week Fifteen against the Indianapolis Colts.

Offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste, cornerback Myles Bryant and practice squad rookie lineman Will Sherman remain absent from the practice fields, indicating that they have yet to be activated from COVID-19/Reserve.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-8)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

No Players Listed.

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

No Players Listed.

FULL AVAILABILITY

G/T Jesse Davis, Knee / Elbow

WR Isaiah Ford, Knee

DT John Jenkins, Illness

RB Phillip Lindsay, Ankle

DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Quad

WR Preston Williams, Illness

What It Means: Dolphins

In comparison to the Patriots, Miami appears to be entering Week Eighteen relatively healthy. Defensive tackle John Jenkins (illness), defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (quad) and wide receiver Preston Williams (illness) all returned to full availability for Thursday’s practice, after being limited on Wednesday.

Miami had neither any non-participants, nor limited participants during practice on Thursday.

Snow Days Off

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been known to be a stickler for being on-time. On Thursday, he dedicated a portion of the team’s morning meeting to that very subject.

With a winter storm expected to dump several inches of snow in the Foxboro area from late Thursday night and into Friday, Belichick once again delivered his “snow speech,”

Belichick reminded his players, both seasoned veterans, and those who are new to New England, that weather conditions (including icy roads, unplowed driveways and parking spaces, etc.) are not considered valid excuses for tardiness.

“You must have been in our meeting this morning,” defensive tackle Davon Godchaux told reporters on Thursday. “Just talking about getting ready for the snow…I plan on waking up like an hour ahead and defrosting my windows and leaving early. I’ve never been on a snow drive on the way to the practice facility, so I look forward to seeing that. I’ve got to get up early and make sure I’m not late to meetings and on-time.”

“Coach (Belichick) already gave us the snow speech, so I don’t want to be that guy,” Godchaux said. 

Linebacker Matt Judon, who played his college football at Grand Valley State in Michigan, is no stranger to inclement weather. Still, the 29-year-old is not taking any chances.

“I’ve just got to get in my car and drive and make sure I’m there,” Judon said. “Just set an alarm clock 30 minutes earlier so that you can warm your car up or whatever that is. The people from the southern states, they’ve got it lucky. They don’t get any snow. But I’ve been kind of dealing with snow my whole life, so I think I’ll be alright.”

While Friday may be a snow day for many in the New England region, it will be just another day at the office for the Patriots. After all, there are no days off in Foxboro. 

Another Potential Milestone for Slater

Special teams captain Matthew Slater has played in 205 regular season games for the Patriots. When he suits up for this Sunday’s game against the Dolphins, Slater will tie defensive lineman Julius Adams at third place for the most games played for the New England Patriots franchise.

MOST REGULAR SEASON GAMES PLAYED

285 Tom Brady

212 Bruce Armstrong 

206 Julius Adams 

205 Matthew Slater