DENVER — New England Patriots tight finish Hunter Henry, who leads the workforce with 42 receptions and 6 landing receptions, was dominated out for Sunday night time’s highway sport in opposition to the Denver Broncos due to a knee harm.
Henry suffered the harm early within the fourth quarter of final Sunday’s loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, taking a tough hit to the world of his left knee from cornerback L’Jarius Sneed on an incomplete cross.
This would be the first sport that Henry will miss as a Patriot since becoming a member of the workforce as a free agent in 2021, breaking a streak of 49 straight video games performed for the franchise. Henry had not too long ago expressed pleasure within the streak (which incorporates one playoff sport) after enduring some injury-filled years by his first 5 NFL seasons with the Chargers.
Six-year veterans Pharaoh Brown and Mike Gesicki are subsequent on the tight finish depth chart, though coach Invoice Belichick has referred to Gesicki as extra of a receiver within the workforce’s system. The Patriots additionally elevated tight finish Matt Sokol from the observe squad for Sunday’s sport.
Brown has 9 catches for 178 yards and one landing on the season, whereas Gesicki has totaled 22 receptions for 189 yards and one landing.
Henry, who turned 29 on Dec. 7, has been the go-to receiver for quarterback Bailey Zappe since Zappe changed Mac Jones because the workforce’s beginning quarterback earlier this month. Over the previous two video games, Henry has totaled 10 catches for 106 yards and three touchdowns.
The Patriots (3-11) had been ready to be with out Henry in opposition to the Broncos (7-7) as Henry did not observe Wednesday and Thursday, after which was restricted on Friday.
“There’s numerous expertise in our tight finish room, from high to backside, if that is the state of affairs guys might be able to step up,” Gesicki stated earlier within the week.
The Patriots, who’re at present in line for the No. 2 decide within the 2024 NFL draft, additionally dominated out beginning security Jabrill Peppers (hamstring), beginning operating again Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle), swing sort out Conor McDermott (concussion) and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle).
