2 min read • August 13, 2021
Posted in
New England Patriots
Offense
QB Cam Newton -
Last year, Newton dealt with neck and abdominal issues including a bout with COVID that caused a game to be postponed. Past issues with his foot that marred the end of his time in Carolina didn’t affect him last year but he was clearly not the same QB of old. The previous throwing shoulder issue is the main concern as he threw for more interceptions (10) than TD’s (8) for the first time in his career. Newton suffered a slight bone bruise on hand during OTAs on June 4th but it has been said to be minor and has not been limited in camp. Heach coach Bill Belichick has verbally supported Newton as their starter this year and they’ve paid him accordingly, but soon they will look to rookie first rounder Mac Jones to lead the offense.
RB Damien Harris -
The workhorse RB missed the first four games of the year with a pinkie issue that required surgery. The pinkie injury did not lead to ball security issues as he had just one fumble all year. He bookended his season with IR visits as his year ended due to an ankle injury that saw him miss the final three games. Harris managed 691 rush yards at 5.0 yards a carry and a pair of touchdowns. He appears to be Belichick’s current favorite for rushing downs, though the Patriots have always taken a platoon approach to their backfield. He’ll compete with Sony Michel and James White for snaps, but 2021 starts as a healthy season for him.
RB Sony Michel -
The Patriots RB missed seven games due to a severe quad injury and while on IR suffered a bout with COVID-19. This was another troublesome year for Michel who has dealt with his share of injuries. The Georgia alum was drafted with known knee arthritis issues but now his foot has become an issue as well. He rebounded his rushing efficiency in a major way, and rushed for 5.7 yards a carry. He was used sparingly in a platoon with Harris and White. The main issue is the arthritis in his knee and he is one to keep an eye on because of the obvious long term implications.
TE Jonnu Smith -
Smith endured a rather healthy 2020 season, only missing one game with a knee issue before making a big splash with the Patriots in free agency. At the start of mandatory minicamp, Smith pulled up late with an apparent hamstring injury. Although early this isn't a great start for the new New England tight end, the lack of acclimation and practice will be the biggest issue rather than the hamstring injury itself. He has recovered well and looked great in the Patriots first preseason game. However, fellow FA tight end Hunter Henry is now dealing with a shoulder injury, which could give Smith the nod early in the year.
TE Hunter Henry -
Henry is a highly productive target in the passing game, but has yet to finish a 16-game season in his career. The Patriots' new free agent signing suffered a shoulder injury during training camp and the MRI has resulted in a multi-week absence. There is no video of the injury and details are light as teams are not forced to release injury reports in the offseason. Expect him to sit through August and hope to return by Week 1. TE Jonnu Smith may get more looks earlier in the year while Henry heals up.
Offensive Line
OL Isaiah Wynn -
Wynn missed the final six games of the 2020 with a knee injury. This was his third trip to IR in as many seasons, and his absence last year was a big blow to an O-Line that was constantly reshuffling to compensate for injuries. Wynn has been injured often but there is no current issue, andwill start the year slotted at left tackle.
OL Trent Brown -
Brown played with Las Vegas last year and missed three games early due to a calf injury. The hulking OL then missed six games due to COVID-19 as he dealt with complications and an IV mishap that let loose an air bubble into his blood. Brown finished his Raider tenure by missing the final game with knee issues. He is now returning to the Patriots after two years in Oakland/Las Vegas. Physically, there is no issue with the IV mishap or calf, and he is slated to be the Patriots' right tackle once again.
Defense
LB Kyle Van Noy -
In Miami, Van Noy dealt with multiple ailments in 2020 including groin and hip with the hip being the most painful problem. In theory, he starts his second stint with the Patriots healthy, and will again be used by Belichick in his hybrid linebacker role that sets him up all over the defensive front. His pass rushing acumen has come to the forefront in recent years, as he’s logged more sacks in the past two seasons (12.5) than in the first five years of his career (12).
LB Raekwon McMillan -
The new free agent signing from Miami tore his ACL in camp and will miss the rest of the season. Expect LB Dont’a Hightower to take even more snaps as he comes back from opting out of the 2020 season.
CB Stephon Gilmore -
Gilmore missed three games in the middle of the year with a bothersome knee issue. The issue lingered as the Patriots did not expect it to get to three weeks and did not place him on IR. His year ended with a partially torn quadriceps that required surgery. Gilmore has started training camp on the PUP list and should return by Week 1.
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