Patriots’ Amendola, Hightower, Chung sidelined by injuries

It is the second time in five games Amendola has left a game with a knee injury.

As much as the New England Patriots try to ease their injured players back into action, the list of injuries keeps growing. He’s a guy who attacks the football and his 75-yard kickoff return was another big play after it helped set-up their third touchdown of the day, which put them up 21-3 and helped New England regain the momentum after allowing a field goal following a muffed punt return by Danny Amendola where the Titans recovered.

Last but not least, safety Patrick Chung took a helmet to his upper leg in the fourth quarter against the Titans.

With Julian Edelman sidelined, Amendola has been a go-to target for Tom Brady. “That’s what we did today and I know he’s up there and he’s proud”. He said after the game he could have returned, but agreed with interim coach Mike Mularkey that it wasn’t worth the risk. He had one reception where he ran an out pattern with just over 2-minutes to go in the first quarter and dove back to make the reception, which more or less encapsulates the way he plays. “So we’ve just got to roll with what we got and continue working”.

Overall for the season, Amendola has caught 63 catches for 631 yards and three touchdowns. “I think each part requires some thought and every decision impacts other things as well, so you just can’t act independently when one thing happens when there is a residual effect to it one way or another as part of the conversation”. He had one tackle assist and a pass defended.

The Herald’s Jeff Howe reports that safety Devin McCourty will be OUT. He’s pumping me up before the games and loves seeing me go out there and ball. Mariota was 3-of-6 passing for 36 yards and was sacked three times, including a strip-sack that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown by Akiem Hicks. Jerod Mayo continues to have an impact late in the season, notching six tackles as he fills the void given Dont’a Hightower’s recent knee issues. This sounds familiar to running back LeGarrette Blount walking his way off of the Steelers roster last season and back onto the Patriots. New England also has an endless line of injuries so Bill Belichick is piecing things together on the fly.