The second injury report ahead of Christmas Eve’s matchup at Empower Field.
After beginning work on the Denver Broncos without four members of the active roster, the New England Patriots returned to the practice fields without six.
Running back Rhamondre Stevenson, tight end Hunter Henry, offensive tackle Conor McDermott and safety Jabrill Peppers remained non-participants on Thursday. Outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings and core special-teamer Cody joined them.
Both additions, combining for 537 snaps on defense and 236 snaps in the kicking game this season, were sidelined due to illnesses.
Here’s the second injury report heading into Sunday’s 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff at Empower Field.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
Patriots
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle)
- TE Hunter Henry (knee)
- OT Conor McDermott (concussion)
- LB Anfernee Jennings (illness)
- S Jabrill Peppers (hamstring)
- ST Cody Davis (illness)
Broncos
- TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring, foot)
- DT Mike Purcell (not injury related — rest)
- LB Nik Bonitto (knee)
Stevenson has missed back-to-back games due to a high ankle sprain sustained on Dec. 3. The starting running back has not practiced since then, either. But McDermott resides in the NFL’s concussion protocol after being downgraded versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Henry and Peppers both exited last weekend, as well. The team captain at tight end, who leads the offense with 42 catches and six touchdowns, has a knee injury. And the hard-hitting safety, who checks in with 76 tackles, two interceptions along with one sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery, has a hamstring injury. Neither has missed a matchup during their New England tenures.
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
Patriots
- WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle)
- OT Trent Brown (ankle, hand)
- DT Christian Barmore (shoulder)
- LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee)
- LB Jahlani Tavai (ankle)
- CB Jonathan Jones (knee)
- ST Matthew Slater (hamstring)
Broncos
- TE Chris Manhertz (not injury related — rest)
No changes among the seven limited for New England. On the defensive side, Tavai and Jones were both added to the group on Wednesday because of ankle and knee injuries, respectively. The veteran linebacker notched his second interception of the season last Sunday. The veteran cornerback, on the other hand, was briefly announced as questionable to return during what became a 27-17 loss to the reigning Super Bowl champions. But Brown and Smith-Schuster went to the inactives list 90 minutes prior to the matinee kickoff at Gillette Stadium.
FULL PARTICIPATION
Patriots
- OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (knee)
Broncos
- RB Samaje Perine (not injury related — rest)
- OT Alex Palczewski (knee)
- LB Jonathon Cooper (ankle)
Wheatley continues as a full participant for the Patriots after having his 21-day window to return from injured reserve open. A trio of Broncos also went in full on Thursday. Cooper had been limited for the previous practice along with Palczewski, who remains on IR, while Perine in the backfield opened the week with a rest day.