Game statuses for Week 18 at Gillette Stadium.
The New England Patriots will close out the season without four.
Wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, center Ben Brown, cornerback Christian Gonzalez and safety Jabrill Peppers have been ruled out for the finale against the Buffalo Bills. As for quarterback Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick moves forward among the team’s questionable after being limited by an injury to his throwing hand throughout the week.
Here’s the rest of the game statuses heading into Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium.
OUT
Patriots
- WR Ja’Lynn Polk (shoulder)
- C Ben Brown (concussion)
- CB Christian Gonzalez (concussion)
- S Jabrill Peppers (hamstring)
Bills
- LB Terrel Bernard (quad)
A shoulder injury will officially end Polk’s rookie season with 33 targets, 12 catches, 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The No. 37 overall pick out of the University of Washington stayed sidelined throughout preparations for the finale. Brown at center and Gonzalez at cornerback did, as well, while in the NFL’s concussion protocol. The latter stands atop the 3-13 Patriots with 978 defensive snaps played on campaign. As for Peppers, an inactive for the previous two weeks, the veteran safety was listed as limited due to a hamstring injury from Wednesday through Friday before being ruled out.
QUESTIONABLE
Patriots
- QB Drake Maye (right hand)
- TE Hunter Henry (foot)
- LB Anfernee Jennings (knee)
- LB Titus Leo (ankle)
- LB Sione Takitaki (knee)
- S Kyle Dugger (ankle, quad)
Bills
- WR Curtis Samuel (rib)
Maye officially stands among six questionable for the matinee in Foxborough after being a partial participant for three consecutive practices. The rookie starter under center has completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,276 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. He’s added 421 yards and two visits to the end zone on the ground. Because of a foot issue, top target Hunter Henry also carries a game designation for New England’s offense. The tight end and team captain’s 2024 has brought career highs with 66 receptions and 674 receiving yards. As for the defensive side of the ball, the lone non-participant among New England’s questionable on Friday was a March signing in Takitaki.