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Patriots defense missing 5 starters ahead of Ravens matchup
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- Patriots defense missing 5 starters ahead of Ravens matchup
FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots defense is hurting at a bad time.
On Wednesday, Mike Vrabel’s team was without five starters in the first practice of the week. The Patriots were without linebacker Robert Spillane (foot), linebacker Christian Elliss (illness), cornerback Carlton Davis (hip), cornerback Marcus Jones (hip), and edge rusher Harold Landry (knee).
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That’s a lot of firepower missing from the Patriots’ defensive unit with a tough matchup on deck against the Baltimore Ravens .
Spillane was spotted wearing a walking boot on his left foot on Wednesday. The veteran linebacker missed Sunday’s matchup against the Bills as the defense struggled without their leading tackler (97).
Elliss is second on the Patriots in tackles (76). It would be a big blow to lose him and Spillane in Baltimore, but it would be unique if Elliss missed the matchup due to an illness. (That happened once this season with Keion White.)
The Ravens have a tough offense led by quarterback Lamar Jackson , running back Derrick Henry , receiver Zay Flowers , and tight end Mark Andrews .
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It would help if the Patriots had a healthy secondary. That’s not the case this week as Davis and Jones are dealing with injuries suffered in the team’s loss to Buffalo.
Jones leads the Patriots in interceptions (3) and passes defended (11). He’s also having an All-Pro caliber season at punt returner and leads the NFL with two punt return touchdowns. Not having him on Sunday would impact defense and special teams.
Davis has started all 14 games this season and is tied with Christian Gonzalez for the second most passes defended (9) on the team. Davis left Sunday’s matchup with a groin injury, but later returned. He said he wasn’t going to miss time when his team needed him.
“Everything’s on the line. I’m not about to stay out. If I got a limp out there, I’m going to limp. Credit to the trainers. Came in here, we did some good exercises that allowed me to get a couple of drives in, and that was it.”
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Landry’s absence isn’t unusual. The edge rusher, who leads the Patriots with 8.5 sacks, has missed several Wednesday practices this season as the team manages his health.
Patriots injury report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
CB Carlton Davis III - Hip
LB Chrisitan Elliss - Illness
CB Marcus Jones - Knee
LB Harold Landry - Knee
LB Robert Spillane - Ankle
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
DT Christian Barmore - Not Injury Related
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