FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Groin injuries have suddenly become fashionable around Foxborough, particularly in the secondary, where three players are dealing with such issues today.
During the 10 a.m. hour Sunday, CB Jonathan Jones went through an extensive pre-game medical evaluation on the field with his position coach, Mike Pellegrino, and strength coach Moses Cabrera. It was determined that he's fit to return to game action after being limited in practices this past week and having been held out of last week's affair with Buffalo. Jones suffered his injury late in the win over Cincinnati in Week 15.
Fellow corner Jason McCourty, however, will not take part in the regular season finale. He's been on-and-off with a nagging groin problem for the past month or so. The previous two times he was active on game day, including last Saturday versus Buffalo, he only managed a few snaps before being replaced in the lineup.
Meanwhile, safety Terrence Brooks will sit out his first game of the season after coming down with a groin injury during Friday's practice. Brooks has been a valuable asset as a rotational role player throughout this season, his first with the Patriots. This New England secondary is blessed with depth, however, so, the absences of McCourty and Brooks shouldn't be too problematic today.
Meanwhile, RB Sony Michel was added Saturday to the injury report with an unspecified illness. He came out to do a few sprints under the watchful eye of position coach Ivan Fears Sunday morning and was deemed well enough to suit up for the game. How much he takes part, though, will be worth monitoring this afternoon. If he can't go as normal, expect a heavier workload for fellow ball carriers Rex Burkhead and James White, or perhaps even Brandon Bolden. Rookie RB Damien Harris remains a healthy scratch from the game-day roster (not listed on the injury report).
Right tackle Marcus Cannon exited last week's game against the Bills with an ankle injury and was limited throughout this past week's practice sessions, but he'll likely be back in his normal spot today versus Miami, at least to start.
The remaining four inactive Patriots are accustomed to seeing their names on this list as healthy scratches: QB Cody Kessler, O-lineman Jermaine Eluemunor, TE Ryan Izzo, and rookie DL Byron Cowart.
From the Dolphins sideline, the most notable absentee from the lineup today will starting WR Allen Hurns (ankle/neck), who was originally listed as questionable for the game.
Starting D-end Christian Wilkins (ankle), another questionable listing, will give it a go.
