The first injury report heading into the season finale at Gillette Stadium.
The New England Patriots opened the final week of the season without four.
Wide receivers Kayshon Boutte and Ja’Lynn Polk, center Ben Brown and cornerback Christian Gonzalez did not participate in Wednesday’s practice as the AFC’s No. 2 seed nears Gillette Stadium.
And elsewhere, quarterback Drake Maye was among the limited participants due to a right hand injury. The rookie told reporters during his midweek press conference that he is preparing like the team’s Week 18 starter.
Here’s the first injury report ahead of Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff against Buffalo Bills.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
Patriots
- WR Kayshon Boutte (illness)
- WR Ja’Lynn Polk (shoulder)
- C Ben Brown (concussion)
- CB Christian Gonzalez (concussion)
Bills
- LB Terrel Bernard (quad)
While Brown resided in the NFL’s concussion protocol and was downgraded on the eve of Saturday’s kickoff, the Patriots had three new absences on New Year’s Day. In addition to the 10-game starter at center, Boutte and Polk were sidelined for the offense with an illness and shoulder issue, respectively. The latter receiver stayed down after diving for his lone target against the Los Angeles Chargers. What became a 40-7 loss ended 24 defensive snaps in for Gonzalez, who entered the medical tent and went from questionable to out before halftime. “He’s still in the protocol, so I don’t want to get too far down that line,” head coach Jerod Mayo said of the Pro Bowl candidate’s availability for the finale.
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
Patriots
- QB Drake Maye (right hand)
- TE Hunter Henry (foot)
- OT Caedan Wallace (ankle)
- LB Anfernee Jennings (knee)
- LB Titus Leo (ankle)
- LB Jahlani Tavai (groin)
- LB Sione Takitaki (knee)
- S Kyle Dugger (ankle, quad)
- S Jabrill Peppers (hamstring)
- S Brenden Schooler (abdomen)
Bills
- WR Curtis Samuel (rib)
- CB Cam Lewis (shoulder)
- S Damar Hamlin (rib)
- S Taylor Rapp (neck)
Maye played 43 out of 53 snaps for New England’s offense last weekend and was evaluated for a head injury following a sideline scramble. The North Carolina product is now dealing with an injury to his throwing hand. He was among 10 partial participants to begin AFC East work. “Drake is our starting quarterback. If he’s healthy and ready to go, as we go through this week of practice, then he’ll play,” Mayo said during his morning press conference.
FULL PARTICIPATION
Patriots
- LB Curtis Jacobs (concussion — IR return)
Bills
- QB Josh Allen (right elbow, right shoulder)
- TE Dalton Kincaid (knee)
- TE Quintin Morris (shoulder, groin)
- OT Spencer Brown (neck)
- DT Jordan Phillips (back)
- DT DeWayne Carter (wrist)
- DE Dawuane Smoot (wrist)
- LB Matt Milano (biceps, groin)
- LB Dorian Williams (elbow)
- CB Rasul Douglas (knee)
- P Sam Martin (back)
The Patriots opened Jacobs’ 21-day practice window on Christmas Eve after he landed on injured reserve due to a concussion in November. The August waiver claim has since graduated from limited to full participation for the linebacker room. New England currently carries a pair of openings on the 53-man roster.