FOXBORO - The Patriots are heading into their home opener with a Week 2 injury report that looks manageable, and the biggest positive is the way TreVeyon Henderson has started to trend after missing the opener in Seattle.
Henderson had not practiced since Aug. 24, when he rolled his ankle in practice, and he was inactive against the Seahawks. This week, though, he has been on the field in uniform for both of the team’s practices. He is still listed on the injury report, but that alone points in the right direction for a possible return.
That matters for a Patriots offense that had a hard time getting its ground game going in Week 1. Rhamondre Stevenson took on a heavy load against Seattle, and New England’s lack of Henderson’s burst was noticeable both as a runner and as a pass-catcher.
“He will be able to do some more today,” head coach Mike Vrabel said prior to Wednesday's practice. “We will continue to evaluate that and see where he is, and hopefully that continues to trend in the right direction.”
The Patriots are also keeping an eye on several defensive veterans. Wednesday absences for Jones and Davis are worth monitoring, especially because both had been present at Monday’s session.
Crownover and Spillane missed Monday’s practice as well, though Spillane returned on Wednesday. If any of those three can’t go, that would be a significant hit.
There is some encouraging movement on the offensive side, too. Brown did not suit up in Week 1, but he has been active in both practices so far this week. He was also spotted in the locker room on Monday for the first time since the regular season began, another sign he is moving in the right direction.
Even if Brown is unable to play, New England has options inside. The Patriots used Greg Van Roten as their top backup at both guard and center in Seattle, with Crownover and Caleb Lomu serving as the backup tackles. Walter Rouse was a healthy scratch, while Jacob Rizy, Jake Kubas and Lorenz Metz remain on the practice squad.
New England got solid work from Jared Wilson, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mike Onwenu against Seattle, though Vrabel pointed out there were still plenty of mistakes to clean up.
“Just like everybody else, not good enough for us to win,” Vrabel said Monday on Wilson's first game in the NFL as center. “But we like where Jared's at, his comfort level of operating with the quarterback and communicating.
And again, he had some good plays and had some plays that we'd all like to have back. But I think Jared's only going to continue to get better.”
Crownover did not play on offense in his NFL debut last week, but he did log two special teams snaps.
The Patriots’ next injury report is due Thursday afternoon after practice.
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