Team news: New England Patriots | Page 21

Garrett Gilbert - fresh off New England’s practice squad - gets the starting assignment tonight.

Related players: Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gibson

Neither WFT QB Taylor Heinicke nor Kyle Allen tested out. So they remain on the Reserve/COVID list. It's a big game for both teams who need this win to keep pace for a wild card playoff spot. With Gilbert getting the nod, it's a huge downgrade for the passing game and McLaurin.

The Patriots have placed WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Harvey Langi, LB Cameron McGrone and LB Ronnie Perkins on the reserve/COVID list.

Bourne wasn't really a factor against the Bills in the wind in Week 14, but was back in the game plane this week with 44 receiving yards and 19 rushing yards against the Colts. Before that he was averaging about four catches a game since a breakout game on Sept. 26. He'll need to test positive before Week 16's game against Buffalo.

Shanahan didn’t rule out Elijah Mitchell for Thursday’s game against the Titans.

Related players: Jeff Wilson, Kyle Juszczyk, JaMycal Hasty

The story said Shanahan seemed skeptical about the running back’s prospects last week. Mitchell is now out of the concussion protocol but still is dealing with a knee injury suffered against the Seahawks on Dec. 5. Wilson played on 50 snaps last week with Hasty getting just three. It may be a battle to be ready on the short week for Mitchell, however.

J.D. McKissic and Curtis Samuel out for Tuesday game vs Eagles. Not Covid. Just injured.

Related players: Antonio Gibson, Adam Humphries, DeAndre Carter

The extra time won't help to get either player back on the field. McKissic is battling a neck injury while Samuel has been having trouble all year staying on the field and is dealing with a hamstring issue. Humphries and Carter are next up on the depth chart at WR while Gibson should again be in store for a potential huge workload at RB.

49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (knee/concussion) will miss Week 15's game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Jeff Wilson Jr., JaMycal Hasty

Look for Samuel and Wilson to get most of the rushing work for San Fran, with Hasty filling in during two-minute drills or a blowout.

Patriots RB Damien Harris (hamstring) has been downgraded to out for Saturday's game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Related Players: Rhamondre Stevenson, Brandon Bolden

Not great news on the Harris front. Stevenson should start with Bolden as the change of pace back if he plays.

49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (concussion) and TE George Kittle (knee soreness) were not practicing Wednesday.

Related Players: JaMycal Hasty, Jeff Wilson Jr.

The hope was to have Mitchell carry the load Week 15, but no practice for him puts that in jeopardy.

Kittle should be good and his absence considered more of a precaution.

Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson and Trenton Cannon are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents in March. Given how vital that position is, I think the 49ers should re-sign Wilson (no brainer), re-sign Mostert (more expensive, yes, but it’s necessary) and bring in one more additional runner. That would give them: Mostert, Elijah Mitchell, Wilson, Trey Sermon, JaMycal Hasty and _____ to start the offseason.

The author went on to say the 49ers’ motto when it comes to running backs ought to be: We can never have enough. The big fantasy question would be who is the lead back as Mostert, Mitchell and Wilson have all had the role at one time or another.

Both Adrian Phillips (knee) and Damien Harris (hammy) were limited at today's practice. Patriots only DNP was Yodney Cajuste (illness).

Related players: Rhamondre Stevenson

It's a possible good sign that Harris could go in Week 15 against the Colts on Saturday night. If Harris plays, he and Stevenson likely split the workload, but if Harris is out, Stevenson would get a bulk of the workload, so this is worth watching leading up to Saturday.