Patriots Week 16 Injury Report

The New England Patriots came off with a win Sunday afternoon after a last-second play mixup courtesy of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. After the Patriots scored late in the fourth quarter to go up three points, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that they would beat the Steelers. Then the defense let up a 70-yard catch and run by wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, to the 10-yard line for what looked to be an easy score, if not a game-tying field goal. After a controversial call, reversing a tight end Jesse James touchdown, it looked like Roethlisberger would spike the ball and let kicker Chris Boswell tie the game. Instead, he threw an interception into the end zone, on a pass that should not have been made.

While the Pats didn’t look their greatest throughout the game, quarterback Tom Brady who had been on the injury report the past few weeks didn’t seem to have any issues with his Achilles . He had been a full participant during that previous week, but still listed on the report. This week Brady is no longer listed on the injury report, hopefully meaning that his Achilles is all patched up.

Running back Rex Burkhead suffered a knee injury during Sunday’s game and was sidelined during practice Wednesday with defensive tackle Alan Branch. It is rumored that Burkhead will be back in time for playoffs.

Right tackle LaAdrian Waddle is still nursing the ankle injury that took him out of the game on Sunday. He was limited in practice on Wednesday, the Pats need him healthy to shore up the offensive line. He also needs all the experience he can get this season if the Patriots are planning to move on from Marcus Cannon in favor of the less expensive Waddle.

The Pittsburgh game ended well for the Patriots because the offense got the team back into the game, and the defense came out with a lucky break (twice). A major hole was felt in the linebacking corps as Kyle Van Noy, the teams leading tackler through much of the middle of the season, was out with a calf injury. He was limited in practice all last week, and that seems to be the status quo for this week as well. Van Noy was ruled out for Sunday but remains questionable for the game against the Buffalo Bills this week. Needless to say, he is a needed asset for the defense.

Other players who were limited in practice Wednesday: running backs Brandon Bolden (Groin) and James White (Ankle), wide receivers Chris Hogan (Shoulder) and Matthew Slater (Hamstring), defensive back Brandon King (Hamstring) and defensive lineman Eric Lee (Ankle).

Buffalo Bills Injury Report

The Buffalo Bills are coming off a win against the Miami Dolphins, who gave the Patriots a hard time the week before. Running back LeSean McCoy saw the end zone twice during the game, once on the ground and the other through the air. Miami was only able to reach the end zone once and fell to the Bills 24-16.

The Bills are dealing with much more for their injury report, with six players not practicing Wednesday. The most notable who did not practice was wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin who is nursing a knee injury.

Other players who did not practice Wednesday: linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (Rest), cornerback E.J. Gaines (Knee), wide receiver Andre Holmes (Neck), tight end Nick O’Leary (Back), defensive tackle Kyle Williams (Groin).

Players who were limited in practice Wednesday: tight end Charles Clay (Knee), running back LeSean McCoy (Knee), guard John Miller (Ankle), wide receiver Deonte Thompson (Back).

Backup quarterback Nathan Peterman had a full practice on Wednesday.

–Nathan Cheatham is  Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage Sports Media.  He covers the Detroit Lions and the New England Patriots.  Follow him on Twitter @natecheat