January 24, 2008
The Patriots have placed safety/special teamer Mel Mitchell on injured reserve with a biceps injury.
Things have not gone exactly as Mitchell likely planned since he signed with New England before last season -- last year, he missed the entire season with an arm injury, and he this year he battled a groin injury before the biceps injury happened. In all, he played in 11 games this season and totaled 11 special-teams tackles.
New England now has 52 players on the active roster, though it would be surprising if the player chosen to fill Mitchell's spot is named before next week.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young 
at 6:03 PM | Permalink
November 25, 2007
For the Patriots:
QB Matt Gutierrez - third QB
WR Chad Jackson
S Mel Mitchell
DB Eugene Wilson
G Wesley Britt
G Billy Yates
DL Le Kevin Smith
DL Kareem Brown
For the Eagles:
QB Donovan McNabb
S Quintin Mikell
RB Tony Hunt
G Max Jean-Gilles
DT Kimo von Oelhoffen
G Scott Young
DE Victor Abiramiri
DT Montae Reagor
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 7:02 PM | Permalink
November 18, 2007
For the Patriots:
QB Matt Gutierrez - third quarterback
S Mel Mitchell
S Eugene Wilson
LB Eric Alexander
G Stephen Neal
T Wesley Britt
DL LeKevin Smith
DL Kareem Brown
For the Bills:
QB Gibran Hamdan - third quarterback
RB Marshawn Lynch
TE Tim Massaquoi
LB Leon Joe
OL Christian Gaddis
TE Ryan Neufeld
DE Copeland Bryan
DT Jason Jefferson
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 6:59 PM | Permalink
November 16, 2007
Today's injury/participation report has been released, and it's not looking good for Buffalo's Marshawn Lynch:
New England
Questionable
LB Eric Alexander -- knee (did not practice)
CB Eddie Jackson -- knee (limited participation)
G Stephen Neal -- shoulder (limited participation)
LB Mike Vrabel -- team decision (limited participation)
WR Wes Welker -- team decision (limited participation)
S Eugene Wilson -- ankle (did not practice)
Probable
QB Tom Brady -- right shoulder (limited participation)
**Benjamin Watson (ankle) and Mel Mitchell (groin) are no longer on the report.
Buffalo
Doubtful
RB Marshawn Lynch -- ankle (did not practice)
Probable
DE Aaron Schobel -- illness (full participation)
TE Robert Royal -- head (limited participation)
**CB Kiwaukee Thomas (groin) and TE Matt Murphy (calf) were placed on injured reserve earlier this week, so they will be out.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 5:44 PM | Permalink
The Patriots are back outside for their last on-field practice of the week, and as the entry title indicates, special teamer Mel Mitchell was back on the field but Eugene Wilson and Eric Alexander were not.
It is very windy today, and it was amazing to see a Stephen Gostkowski kickoff hit its peak and then fall straight down as if it hit a wall when a gust came. Probably a lot like the conditions in Buffalo on Sunday.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 12:17 PM | Permalink
November 15, 2007
Thanks to the rain, the Patriots moved their practice today indoors, to the Dana-Farber Fieldhouse. Players today were in shells and shorts/pants.
The same three players were absent as have been all week: Eugene Wilson, Eric Alexander and Mel Mitchell.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 1:06 PM | Permalink
November 14, 2007
New England and Buffalo have released the first participation/injury report of the week:
Did Not Participate
LB Eric Alexander - knee
S Mel Mitchell - groin
S Eugene Wilson - ankle
Limited Participation
QB Tom Brady - right shoulder
CB Eddie Jackson - knee
G Stephen Neal - shoulder
LB Mike Vrabel - team decision
WR Wes Welker - team decision
* Neal missed three games earlier this season with a shoulder injury; Vrabel has been on the report in past weeks with a shoulder problem. This is Welker's first appearance on the list this season. But the team has listed both Randy Moss and Kyle Brady has having limited participation on Wednesdays and Thursdays this season, and both were just getting rest.
For Buffalo:
Out
TE Matt Murphy - calf
CB Kiwaukee Thomas - groin
Did Not Participate
RB Marshawn Lynch - ankle
TE Robert Royal - head
DE Aaron Schobel - illness
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 4:02 PM | Permalink
The Patriots are holding today's practice on the windy practice fields behind Gillette and are in full pads.
The same three players absent on Monday were absent again today - Mel Mitchell, Eugene Wilson and Eric Alexander.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 1:20 PM | Permalink
November 12, 2007
Hey all --
The Patriots are holding a rare Monday practice today, as the team re-assembled after their five-day bye week break. The session is being held inside Gillette Stadium.
Troy Brown was in a practice uniform for the first time this season, and number 80 resumed his usual spot in the stretching "formation" -- on the front line of the offense, right next to Tom Brady.
Missing from practice today were Mel Mitchell, Eugene Wilson and Eric Alexander.
The practice players of the week are: Ray Ventrone, C.J. Jones, Kelley Washington and Rashad Baker.
Locker room access has been bumped back to 3:45 p.m.; we'll try to post an update after that.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 1:03 PM | Permalink
November 4, 2007
Here are the game inactives:
For the Patriots:
QB Matt Gutierrez - third quarterback
S Mel Mitchell
S Eugene Wilson
LB Eric Alexander
T Wesley Britt
G Billy Yates
TE Marcellus Rivers
DL Kareem Brown
For the Colts:
WR Craphonso Thorpe
DB Michael Coe
DB Brannon Condren
LB Freddy Keiaho
LB Tyjuan Hagler
T Tony Ugoh
WR Marvin Harrison
DT Quinn PItcock
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 3:17 PM | Permalink
November 2, 2007
New England has released its Friday injury/participation report:
Questionable
LB Eric Alexander - knee
S Mel Mitchell - groin
LB Mike Vrabel - shoulder
TE Benjamin Watson - ankle
S Eugene Wilson - ankle
Probable
QB Tom Brady - right shoulder
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 4:31 PM | Permalink
The Patriots moved their practice inside at the last minute today, and are practicing inside the controlled atmosphere of the Dana-Farber Fieldhouse.
The news of the day is that Eugene Wilson and Mel Mitchell returned to practice, while Benjamin Watson, who practiced the first two days this week, was not spotted.
In addition to Watson, Sammy Morris and Eric Alexander were missing.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 12:29 PM | Permalink
November 1, 2007
New England has released its second participation report of the week:
Did Not Participate
S Mel Mitchell - groin
RB Sammy Morris - chest
S Eugene Wilson - ankle
LB Eric Alexander - knee
Limited Participation
TE Kyle Brady - team decision
QB Tom Brady - right shoulder
LB Mike Vrabel - shoulder
TE Benjamin Watson - ankle
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 3:56 PM | Permalink
As indicated by Bill Belichick this morning, the Patriots are practicing inside the Dana-Farber Fieldhouse today, where conditions are pristine and he can pump up the noise to simulate the RCA Dome atmosphere.
Cornerback Asante Samuel returned to the practice field after missing yesterday tending to a personal matter.
That meant four players were not on the field: Sammy Morris, Eric Alexander, Mel Mitchell and Eugene Wilson.
The players were in shorts and shells/shorts.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 1:04 PM | Permalink
October 31, 2007
New England has published its first participation/injury report of the week:
Did Not Participate
LB Eric Alexander - knee
S Mel Mitchell - groin
RB Sammy Morris - chest
CB Asante Samuel - team decision
S Eugene Wilson - ankle
Limited Participation
TE Kyle Brady - team decision
QB Tom Brady - right shoulder
WR Randy Moss - team decision
LB Adalius Thomas - ankle
LB Mike Vrabel - shoulder
TE Benjamin Watson - ankle
Indianapolis has not yet submitted its report.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 4:06 PM | Permalink
Hey all --
We are just in from the week's first practice, held in full pads. Team owner Robert Kraft was taking in the session, yet another sign of how big Sunday's game is.
As for who was there and who wasn't, Benjamin Watson made his return after missing two weeks with an ankle injury. However, Sammy Morris (chest), Eugene Wilson (ankle), Mel Mitchell (groin), and Eric Alexander (knee) remain on the list of absentees.
Joining them on that list is corner Asante Samuel, who was not spotted during media access.
And Troy Brown was not out there either, which is meaningful because this is the last week that the Patriots have the option of opening the window for Brown. As he is on the PUP list, teams can choose at any time between weeks six and nine to start practicing and open a 21-day window for them, by the end of which time they must either activate them to the 53-man roster or put them on season-ending injured reserve.
After Sunday's win over Washington, Bill Belichick said it had been his team's best week of practice to that point, and it showed in the high number of practice player of the week jerseys -- we counted 10, with rookies Brandon Meriweather and Kareem Brown, Larry Izzo, Ray Ventrone, Pierre Woods, Antwain Spann, Le Kevin Smith, Rashad Baker and Tim Mixon all sporting the black jerseys. Interesting that none of the award winners were from the offensive side of the ball.
We'll be back with more shortly.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 1:25 PM | Permalink
October 24, 2007
The Patriots have released their first participation report of the week:
Did not participate
LB Eric Alexander - knee
S Mel Mitchell - groin
RB Sammy Morris - chest
TE Benjamin Watson - ankle
S Eugene Wilson - ankle
Limited participation
QB Tom Brady - right shoulder
*Note that Laurence Maroney (groin), Kelley Washington (hamstring), Donte Stallworth (knee), Adalius Thomas (ankle) and Randall Gay (thigh) have all been removed from last week's list.
For the Redskins:
Out
G Randy Thomas - triceps
Did not participate
RB Rock Cartwright - quad
OL Stephon Heyer - hamstring
Limited participation
S Pierson Prioleau - coaches' decision
CB Carlos Rogers - knee
CB Fred Smoot - hamstring
Full participation
OL Casey Rabach - groin
LB Marcus Washington - hamstring
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 3:59 PM | Permalink
Hey all -
We've just been kicked out of the Dana-Farber Fieldhouse, where the Patriots are holding their first practice of the week in full pads.
The news of the day is the return of Richard Seymour, and also that safety Eugene Wilson was among those not on the field.
Wilson, who did not play many snaps against Miami but was not on the injury list, was one of five players not spotted. The other four: Benjamin Watson, Sammy Morris, Eric Alexander and Mel Mitchell.
Interestingly, there were no players in jerseys, leading to the assumption that no one was named practice player of the week.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 1:10 PM | Permalink
October 21, 2007
The game inactives have been released, and Laurence Maroney is not among them for the Patriots, though if we were to guess, we'd say Kevin Faulk will still be the primary and Maroney getting a few carries.
New England inactives
QB Matt Gutierrez - 3rd quarterback
S Mel Mitchell
LB Eric Alexander
T Wesley Britt
TE Benjamin Watson
DL Kareem Brown
DL Mike Wright
Miami inactives
RB Lorenzo Booker
S Travares Tillman
LB Abraham Wright
DT Anthony Bryant
DT Jesse Mahelona
DT Vonnie Holliday
DE Rob Ninkovich
DT Sam Rayburn
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 12:11 PM | Permalink
October 20, 2007
The Patriots have announced that five players have been downgraded to OUT for tomorrow's game with Miami:
LB Eric Alexander - knee
S Mel Mitchell - groin
RB Sammy Morris - chest
TE Benjamin Watson - ankle
DE Mike Wright - knee
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 7:42 PM | Permalink
October 19, 2007
Practice today, held under a very grey sky, looked mighty similar to the previous two days, at least from an attendance standpoint.
Eric Alexander, Benjamin Watson, Sammy Morris and Mel Mitchell were not on the field during media access, the same quartet that's been missing all week.
The players are in shells and shorts; Bill Belichick, when asked about yesterday's walkthrough practice, said it was for mental emphasis of things and indicated today's practice might be longer to make up for it.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 12:30 PM | Permalink
October 17, 2007
The first report of the week has been released:
NEW ENGLAND
Did Not Participate
LB Eric Alexander - knee
RB Sammy Morris - chest
TE Benjamin Watson - ankle
Limited Participation
CB Randall Gay - thigh
RB Laurence Maroney - groin
S Mel Mitchell - groin
G Stephen Neal - shoulder
WR Donte Stallworth - knee
LB Adalius Thomas - ankle
WR Kelley Washington - hamstring
Full Participation
QB Tom Brady - right shoulder
* Alexander, Morris and Watson are additions from last week's list; Matt Light (flu), Dan Koppen (ankle), Asante Samuel (foot) and Wesley Britt (personal) were all removed from the list.
MIAMI
Did Not Participate
QB Trent Green - concussion
DT Vonnie Holliday - ankle
LB Zach Thomas - toe
S Travares Tillman - knee
Limited Participation
TE David Martin - ankle
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 6:24 PM | Permalink
Hey all -
As previously posted, Eddie Jackson and Chad Jackson were on the field with their teammates for practice today, meaning the Patriots have opened the 21-day window for both.
Within the next three weeks, the two players can practice and the team must decide by the end whether to activate the players (and make a corresponding move) or place them on season-ending IR.
Also at practice, held in shorts and shells, Benjamin Watson, Sammy Morris, Mel Mitchell and Eric Alexander were missing, and tackle Wesley Britt made his return after a week tending to personal issues.
Marcellus Rivers, Pierre Woods and C.J. Jones were all in black jerseys for being named practice players of the week.
It is the second consecutive black jersey and third of the season for Jones, a practice squad receiver.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 1:15 PM | Permalink
October 14, 2007
In addition to Laurence Maroney, here are the rest of the Pats' inactives:
QB Matt Gutierrez - third quarterback
S Mel Mitchell
S Rashad Baker
T Wesley Britt
G Billy Yates
DL Santonio Thomas
DL Kareem Brown
While Maroney is out, the good news is that C Dan Koppen (ankle), LT Matt Light (flu) and LB Adalius Thomas (ankle) are all active.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 3:28 PM | Permalink
October 13, 2007
Special teams ace Mel Mitchell (groin) and backup tackle Wesley Britt (personal) have both been downgraded to out for tomorrow's game.
Britt's status leaves New England thin at tackle; Matt Light is questionable for the game with the flu.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 9:07 PM | Permalink
October 12, 2007
Hey all --
Well apparently the flu bug has hit the Patriots' locker room a bit early, as that is the reason given for Matt Light's absence from practice today. The left tackle is one of 10 players listed as questionable for Sunday's game.
Dallas cornerbacks Anthony Henry (ankle) and Courtney Brown (biceps) have both been declared out for the contest.
Here's the full injury list:
NEW ENGLAND
Questionable
CB Randall Gay - thigh
C Dan Koppen - ankle
T Matt Light - flu
RB Laurence Maroney - groin
S Mel Mitchell - groin
G Stephen Neal - shoulder
CB Asante Samuel - foot
WR Donte Stallworth - knee
LB Adalius Thomas - ankle
WR Kelley Washington - hamstring
Probable
QB Tom Brady - right shoulder
T Wesley Britt - team decision
Britt, Light and Mitchell did not practice; Gay, Koppen, Maroney, Neal, Samuel, Stallworth, Thomas and Washington had limited participation; and Brady had full participation.
DALLAS
Out
CB Courtney Brown - biceps
WR Terry Glenn - knee
CB Anthony Henry - ankle
Doubtful
FB Oliver Hoyte - neck
Questionable
S Keith Davis - shoulder
Probable
LB Kevin Burnett - thigh
Henry did not practice; Brown and Hoyte had limited participation, and Davis and Burnett had full participation.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 4:15 PM | Permalink
October 10, 2007
The Patriots' first participation/injury report of the week is out:
Did Not Participate
T Wesley Britt - team decision
S Mel Mitchell - groin
Limited Participation
QB Tom Brady - right shoulder
CB Randall Gay - thigh
C Dan Koppen - ankle
RB Laurence Maroney - groin
G Stephen Neal - shoulder
CB Asante Samuel - foot
WR Donte Stallworth - knee
LB Adalius Thomas - ankle
WR Kelley Washington - hamstring
* Samuel and Thomas are new additions to the list; Rosevelt Colvin (ankle) has been removed.
For the Cowboys:
Out
WR Terry Glenn - knee
Did Not Participate
CB Anthony Henry - ankle
Full Participation
CB Courtney Brown - biceps
LB Kevin Burnett - thigh
S Keith Davis - shoulder
FB Oliver Hoyte - neck
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 4:43 PM | Permalink
Hey all --
We're just in from practice, and there are two absences to report: special-teamer Mel Mitchell and guard Wesley Britt were not on the field today.
Britt, we've been led to believe, is tending to a personal matter.
But Dan Koppen and Laurence Maroney, the starters who missed Sunday's game, were on the field, and both were spotted in the locker room today, which is generally a good sign for the player.
The practice players of the week were practice-squadders Dan Connolly, an offensive lineman, and receiver C.J. Jones. It is Jones' second black jersey this year.
Posted by Shalise Manza Young at 12:18 PM | Permalink
