dpThe Patriots also listed safeties Kevin Byard (chest) and Craig Woodson (shoulder), linebacker Christian Elliss (chest), and right tackle Morgan Moses (foot) as questionable to play. The fact that Moses was a limited participant in practice, and has a chance to play, is a positive development after he exited last Sunday’s game in the second quarter.
Another piece of good news for the Patriots is that wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) does not have a game-day designation. Sunday was Brown’s first game off injured reserve. Although he dropped multiple passes, Brown said he came out healthy.
The Patriots will likely make additional roster moves ahead of Thursday night’s game. They could activate 2025 seventh-round draft pick Marcus Bryant off injured reserve, making him available as a swing tackle. They also could temporarily elevate up to two players off the practice squad. An interior lineman seems most likely, with Jake Kubas, Xavier Newman-Johnson, Jacob Rizy, and Andrew Rupcich candidates.
The Bears ruled out running back Kyle Monangai (thumb, toe) and linebacker Jack Sanborn (concussion). Linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) is doubtful to play, while defensive back Tyrique Stevenson (hip) is questionable.
Monangai — who, alongside D’Andre Swift, has helped buoy Chicago’s formidable rushing attack — will miss his third straight game. Edwards had played 100 percent of Chicago’s defensive snaps prior to suffering his injury in Week 5. He also missed last Sunday’s game against the Falcons.
Jolly good
Mike Vrabel now keeps grape Jolly Ranchers on him while coaching, after Woods apparently asked for one in the middle of a game.
“He was like, ‘Coach, can I get a Jolly Rancher?’ ” Vrabel recalled Wednesday. “I was like, ‘Are you serious?’ He’s like, ‘Yes.’ At halftime, it was like I was coaching one of the kids’ teams in ninth grade, 9-year-old football. I was like, ‘Yeah, sure, have a Jolly Rancher.’ Then we won the game and I joked about it when he got a game ball.”
The interaction sparked a new nickname, “JR,” for Woods.
Well represented
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is one of the team’s four representatives for the NFL Players’ Association, joining left tackle Will Campbell, cornerback Marcus Jones, and special teamer Brenden Schooler.
Maye, who is the voting rep, called the position “an honor.”
“I’m going to try to gain some knowledge about how the league works, knowing that this position carries a lot of weight in this league,” he said. “I know Coach Vrabel was the player rep here. Just trying to make sure that the coaches and players are doing all right.”
Nicole Yang can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.
