Hunter Henry’s status is suddenly one of the biggest questions hanging over the Patriots as they get ready for Week 9.
The veteran tight end has now missed practice for two straight days after hurting his foot in New England’s Week 8 win over the Miami Dolphins. Mike Reiss reported the latest setback on Thursday, noting, “TE Hunter Henry, who was limited to eight snaps Sunday after injuring his foot, is absent from practice for the second day in a row,” Reiss wrote on Thursday.
That’s not the kind of update Patriots fans wanted to hear, especially with Henry already limited after the injury. New England now has to keep waiting on his recovery while figuring out what the offense looks like if he can’t go against the Packers.
Henry has become a reliable piece of the passing game for Drake Maye, and his production has backed that up. He has posted 85 targets, 60 catches and 650 yards in each of the past two seasons, and this year he has 29 receptions for 326 yards and two touchdowns in a balanced Patriots attack.
The timing matters because New England is sitting at 5-3 and holding second place in the AFC East behind the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots are also seventh in the conference standings, ahead of the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders and behind the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs.
For now, the focus turns to home field and the next test. The Patriots host the Green Bay Packers in Week 9, with kickoff set for Nov. 8 at 4:25 p.m. ET.
In Other News...
Tom Brady Had The Perfect Reaction To Gronk And Edelmans Latest Bit
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Tom Brady noticed, too, and he had the sort of lighthearted reaction that fits the whole thing. He reposted the video with a joking comment, giving the series an extra boost from one of the most recognizable names in franchise history, while Gronk and Edelman continue building out a show that will feature conversations with players, coaches and insiders. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Fans Have A Few Week 9 Results To Watch Closely
With the Patriots still trying to sort out their place in the AFC race, Week 9 brings a few scoreboard-watching opportunities that could matter almost as much as what happens in Foxborough. The schedule includes matchups like the Jaguars at the Ravens and the Jets at the Chiefs, and both games carry ripple effects for New England as the playoff picture starts to take shape.
Baltimore is one of the more interesting teams to track because of the way its quarterback situation has developed, while New Yorks trip to Kansas City is another one Patriots fans will have an eye on for reasons beyond simple rivalry. New England has its own business to handle, but these are the kinds of results that can quietly change the math around the AFC standings before the season gets much deeper. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Suddenly Face A Running Back Decision They Didn't Expect
TreVeyon Hendersons availability has suddenly become a major Patriots storyline after a medical emergency sent the rookie running back to the hospital and left his return date unclear. For a team that had been counting on him as part of its backfield plans, the situation has quickly turned from a football issue into a broader roster concern, with New England now having to think through how it handles the position if the uncertainty lingers.
With the trade deadline approaching, the Patriots are at least being mentioned in the kind of running back speculation that usually surfaces only when a team feels pressed to act. The names being floated around the league are the sort that would reshape a backfield in a hurry, but for now it is still just that, speculation, as New England waits for more clarity on Henderson and weighs whether outside help becomes necessary. [Read more 🡒]