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Should We Be Concerned With Patriots Growing List Of Injuries?

BOSTON (CBS) -- Even though the Patriots haven't even hit the field for a game yet, there are mounting concerns on the injury front.

The injury bug is out in full force down at Gillette, with 23 players not participating in practice due to various bumps and bruises. Nine of those players are on the PUP list, including Brandon LaFell, Ryan Wendell and Matthew Slater -- who are all dealing with injuries they suffered last season.

On Friday alone there were three newcomers to New England's walking wounded list, with LeGarrette Blount, Bryan Stork and Malcom Brown all leaving practice early with ailments. On Saturday, running back Travaris Cadet also joined the group.

"Guys are just getting hurt left and right," Marc Bertrand said Monday morning. "At what point do you get concerned about this?"

We haven't hit that point just yet, but it's a situation worth monitoring. Zolak said league rules, with the lack of two-a-days and hitting in the early practices, have led to an uptick in injuries at camp.

"They have one of the best strength coaches in the business [in Harold Nash] so it's not like they're not in shape," said Zolak. "It's a product of, 'let's do a walk-through type practice here and then get it going the next one.' Cranking up the acceleration and the quick-twitch thing -- everything involved with the explosiveness training -- and next thing you know you have guys popping stuff left and right.

"It's a product of guys getting bigger, faster and stronger and there isn't much you can do. Your body and joints can only hold up so much," said Zolak. "I don't know what else you point to, because they don't hit."

As for the ever-growing list of dinged-up Pats, Beetle's only concern is with wide receiver Julian Edelman who has been sidelined the last week with a leg/foot injury.

"It's not that his injury appears to be serious, but he's a player who has missed time here and there dealing with injuries. He's a guy where if you hear leg or foot, you don't want that to turn into something that bothers him and he tries to play through it," said Bertrand.

Zolak said his biggest concern is with Blount, the only back he trusts out of New England's backfield at the moment.

Has any good come from veteran players sitting on the sidelines this camp? Zolak & Bertrand discuss:

 

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