The New England Patriots will be down two tight ends in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Patriots have ruled out tight ends Ryan Izzo (concussion) and Matt LaCosse (knee). They did not participate in any practices this week.
The Patriots have five players listed as questionable: Receivers Julian Edelman (chest) and Gunner Olszewski (hamstring), safety Patrick Chung (heel/chest), guard Shaq Mason (ankle) and running back Rex Burkhead (foot).
Receiver Phillip Dorsett has been a regular on the injury report with a hamstring issue, but was cleared to be a full participant this week.
Receiver Josh Gordon was placed on IR, and is unlikely to return to the Patriots in 2019. The Patriots reportedly intend to part ways with the receiver after he had 20 receptions 287 yards and a touchdown.
Tight ends Ben Watson and Eric Tomlinson figure to have big roles on Sunday, even though Tomlinson was nearly released on Wednesday. When the Patriots acquired Mo Sanu in a trade and signed Justin Bethel, they needed to clear a roster spot. New England announced they’d released Tomlinson before changing their mind and putting Gordon on IR instead.
Sanu also seems likely to debut, though Belichick indicated he may have a limited workload due to unfamiliarity with New England’s system. Dorsett could take on a bigger role while Sanu acclimates.
