Nate Ebner Misses Patriots Practice With Concussion As Injuries Pile Up On Special Teams
BOSTON (CBS) -- Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are easily the most notable players on the Patriots' growing list of injuries for the offense, but the problem is now even affecting special teams.
Nate Ebner missed Wednesday's Patriots practice because of a concussion, according to the team's injury report. He did get in some work on the exercise bike, along with tight end Martellus Bennett, who also missed practice with ankle and shoulder injuries.
Ebner has been a core special teamer for the Patriots since 2012. He has recorded 12 special teams tackles in 11 games in 2016. He also recovered a Cyrus Jones fumble on a kick return in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 10.
Elsewhere on the Patriots' special teams, captain Matthew Slater (foot) returned to practice on Wednesday and was a limited participant. Safety Jordan Richards, who also plays regularly on special teams, suffered a knee injury against the New York Jets and did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
The Patriots were serviceable on special teams without Slater last Sunday against the Jets, but missing both Slater and Ebner would certainly be a blow to the group. Ebner's game status will be updated on Friday's injury report, but the head injury makes him unlikely to suit up against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
