ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – The Patriots visit AFC East foe Buffalo Monday night. The Pats won't have the services running back Sony Michel (knee), right tackle Marcus Cannon (concussion) and defensive lineman Geneo Grissom (ankle) among others. Also, linebacker Dont’a Hightower has been ruled out. Join The Journal's Mark Daniels for all the action from New Era Field.
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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – The Patriots visit AFC East foe Buffalo Monday night. The Pats won't have the services running back Sony Michel (knee), right tackle Marcus Cannon (concussion) and defensive lineman Geneo Grissom (ankle) among others. Also, linebacker Dont’a Hightower has been ruled out. Join The Journal's Mark Daniels for all the action from New Era Field.
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Hightower inactive
The Patriots will be without linebacker Dont’a Hightower on Monday night against the Buffalo Bills.
The linebacker popped up on the injury report this week with a knee injury and was listed among the seven inactive players before kickoff.
Hightower didn’t miss a single practice, but was limited in the final three sessions of the week. Hightower has started all seven games this season, making 24 tackles and an interception. He's played his best over the past two weeks. Last week, in Chicago, Hightower blocked a punt. The week before that, he intercepted Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Without Hightower, the Patriots will rely on Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts and John Simon at linebacker.
Also inactive for the Patriots are Sony Michel (knee), right tackle Marcus Cannon (concussion), Geneo Grissom (ankle), Eric Rowe (ankle), Brian Schwenke (foot) and Jacob Hollister (hamstring).
Not all the news was bad on Monday. The Patriots are getting Rob Gronkowski back. The tight end missed last week’s game due to a back injury. He was limited this week, but good to go for a matchup with his hometown team.
Welcome to New Era Field
Welcome to New Era Field where the Patriots will take on the Buffalo Bills in their Week 8 matchup.
The Patriots won’t be at full strength for this divisional matchup. On Sunday, the team ruled out running back Sony Michel (knee), right tackle Marcus Cannon (concussion) and defensive lineman Geneo Grissom (ankle). All three players have been dealing with injuries and didn’t make the trip to Buffalo. The Patriots also ruled out Eric Rowe (ankle), Brian Schwenke (foot) and Jacob Hollister (hamstring) on Friday.
With Michel out, the Patriots will rely on two running backs – James White and Kenjon Barner. This marks the second time this season that the Pats have played with just two running backs. There was speculation that the Patriots would call up Kenneth Farrow from the practice squad, but the team didn’t make a roster by Monday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
With Cannon out, the Pats will once again rely on LaAdrian Waddle at right tackle. Waddle has done a good job stepping in this season and last when Cannon has been out.
This has been a tough season for Hollister, who looked great this offseason. The backup tight end has played in just three games, catching three passes for 35 yards. Hollister dealt with a chest injury earlier in the season, along with a different hamstring injury.