Tom Brady is ill, may not play Sunday’s game

Gronkowski, who played collegiately at Arizona and returned last Sunday after missing a game with a knee injury, is listed as probable on the Patriots injury report for their game Sunday in Foxboro against the Tennessee Titans.

The Patriots got a small scare on Friday when Tom Brady missed practice due to an illness.

Rob Gronkowski’s absence from Patriots practice on Friday was for non-injury related reasons.

Stone was injured in practice this week and had already been declared out for the Falcons’ game Sunday at Jacksonville.

The Patriots walloped the Houston Texans, 27-6, at the NRG Stadium also last Sunday with Houston defensive end J.J. Watt playing with a broken hand, as reported by the Boston Herald. The Patriots defense is allowing 19.5 points and 329.5 yards per game with 10 interceptions, 42 sacks, and 18 fumble recoveries.

Mularkey warns that the study time and ability to adjust to the Patriots’ game-plan specific scheme is something the Titans must do Sunday in order to have any chance to put up points.

In the event Brady misses the game, second-year Eastern Illinois alumnus Garoppolo would take his place. The Patriots have played, and started, some rookies themselves.

The last time these teams met was the 2012 season opener, and this writer missed the first half because of soccer practice (fun fact).

Cowboys: Dallas linebacker Rolando McClain has been ruled out against the New York Jets on Saturday night because of a concussion, and cornerback Morris Claiborne is doubtful with a hamstring injury.

The Tennessee Titans may be 3-10 on the year and two-touchdown underdogs, but this game still could be an interesting display of past and present. Johnson could help immediately with Dexter McCluster on injured reserve. The Titans have not won against the Patriots since 2002, a span of five games in that period.