@ Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski not at Patriots practice
ESPN.com news services | Fri, Dec. 18, 2015
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14394939/new-england-patriots-qb-tom-brady-te-rob-gronkowski-absent-practice
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski were not at practice Friday.
The Patriots' injury report released later in the day officially listed Brady as questionable with illness for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. Gronkowski, who's absence was not injury related, is officially listed as probable.
"It's always strange when he's not out there," special teams captain Matthew Slater said of Brady. "It's come up a time or two. It was a good day for Jimmy [Garoppolo] to get some work and for us to continue to get better. Obviously, we're optimistic that 12 will be out there Sunday ... We're counting on him being there."
New England will clinch a first-round bye with a win and a Denver loss. The Patriots have won five in a row against Tennessee.
Patriots Promoting Rookie Joey Iosefa To Boost Running Back Depth
by Doug Kyed on Sat, Dec 19, 2015
http://nesn.com/2015/12/patriots-signing-running-back-joey-iosefa-to-active-roster-from-practice-squad/
The Patriots are promoting running back Joey Iosefa from their practice squad to active roster, a source told NESN.com. The Patriots must make a corresponding move to open a spot on their 53-man roster. Iosefa was selected in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a fullback. The 6-foot, 245-pound back was waived Aug. 31 and signed to the Patriots’ practice squad Oct. 21.
Iosefa (pronounced YO-sef-ah) carried the ball 512 times for 2,218 yards with 21 touchdowns in four seasons at Hawaii. He also had 60 catches for 438 yards with three scores. He ran a 4.80-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day in March with a 7.09-second 3-cone, 4.28-second short shuttle, 32.5-inch vertical leap and 9-foot, 4-inch broad jump. Iosefa, 24, has dropped weight since signing with the Patriots and could be used as a fullback, running back or pass-catcher.
The Patriots have just Brandon Bolden and James White at running back since placing LeGarrette Blount on injured reserve with a hip injury. Bolden likely will get the first crack at the Patriots’ “big back” role, but Iosefa and White also could receive carries in Week 15 against the Tennessee Titans.
Patriots - Titans Injury Report
Friday, December 18, 2015 4:20 PM EST
http://www.patriots.com/news/2015/12/18/patriots-titans-injury-report
