At Gillette Stadium on Sunday, the New England Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills, who were the favorite, 29-25 to earn their second victory of the year. Not only did the Patriots win their seventh game of the season, improving their record to 2-5, but they also did not seem to sustain any significant injuries, unlike in their prior games.
After seeing the game again, let’s evaluate the harm to determine what it could imply for the Patriots going ahead.
Injury analysis
DE Deatrich Wise Jr.: While making a tackle on a short pass play, the team captain appeared to get hit in his private parts. He briefly exited the game, but returned soon thereafter and finished the day with 68 of a possible 71 defensive snaps played.
S Jabrill Peppers: Peppers seemed to get shaken up while attempting an unsuccessful tackle on a James Cook touchdown reception in the third quarter. No injury was announced, however, and the veteran safety was back on the field for the very next defensive snap. He ended the game with 70 snaps on defense.
ED Anfernee Jennings: Late in the third quarter, Jennings remained on the ground after a tackle on a run play. He appeared to have hurt his right hand, wrist or forearm, but after jogging off the field and missing just one snap was right back in the mix. Jennings ended the day with 69 of 71 snaps.
QB Mac Jones: New England’s starting quarterback was a bit slow to get up after a strip-sack in the early fourth quarter (that was overturned on a defensive penalty), but he did not receive any medical attention or leave the game. The Patriots did run the ball on the next three plays, but that did not appear to have anything to do with Jones: he stayed in, and eventually led the team to victory while not showing any discomfort.
OT Trent Brown: The Patriots’ starting left tackle was rolled up on from behind on an unsuccessful two-point play in the fourth period. Brown headed straight to the blue medical tent and was announced as questionable to return to the game with a (supposedly right) knee issue. After sitting out one three-play drive, however, he was back in action on the game-winning series later in the game.
OT Vederian Lowe: Lowe filling in for Trent Brown lasted only three snaps, including an ineligible downfield penalty that wiped out a 22-yard gain. Things did not get any better, as he was rolled up on from behind on his third snap. Lowe hurt his ankle in the process and was announced as questionable to return. He never did.
What this means for the Patriots
Most of the visible injuries suffered by the Patriots against Buffalo did not appear to be major issues. Deatrich Wise Jr., Jabrill Peppers and Mac Jones all did seem to get shaken up too badly, while Anfernee Jennings also missed minimal time as well.
Trent Brown and Vederian Lowe are bigger question marks, meanwhile.
Brown did return to the game for the final drive and looked like his usual self as both a pass protector and run blocker, showing the ability to step on his injured knee and change his direction without any problem. That being said, his status is still one worth keeping an eye on: he is one of the team’s most important players, and any limitations would further hurt an offensive line that finally seems to have found its rhythm.
As for Lowe, there was a reason why the Patriots kicked out Michael Onwenu to replace him at right tackle. He nonetheless served as the No. 3 at the position on Sunday, and losing him would put Calvin Anderson or recent practice squad addition Conor McDermott in the spotlight.
We will get more information on Wednesday, when the Patriots return to practice and publish their first injury report of the week. They will play the Miami Dolphins on the road in Week 8.
