FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers said he expects to play Thursday night against the Bills, despite the shoulder injury he suffered at Minnesota last week.
Earlier Tuesday, Meyers told reporters his shoulder is feeling “a lot better.”
The 26-year-old fell hard on the Patriots’ first play from scrimmage against the Vikings and was later ushered into the X-ray room before returning to play. He finished with three catches for 62 yards.
According to the Patriots, Meyers was a limited participant in Monday’s practice due to the hurt shoulder.
On the season, he’s caught 47 passes for 571 yards and three touchdowns. His availability will be key against a Bills pass defense that ranks among the league’s best by most metrics, but has statistically been average versus slot receivers.
Over four career starts against Buffalo, Meyers has averaged more than five catches and 45 yards per game. He’s started eight of the nine games he’s played in this season.
• Safety Jabrill Peppers did not participate in the team’s final practice of the week, per the injury report.
The Patriots held their final practice of the week ahead of Thursday night’s matchup at Gillette Stadium. Running back Damien Harris (thigh) and offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn (foot) also did not participate.
There was some good news for the Patriots, though. Wide receiver DeVante Parker was listed as a full participant. He’d previously been limited with a knee injury.
GIANTS: The New York Giants are returning from their extended Thanksgiving break and they are getting reinforcements for their crucial game against the streaking Washington Commanders.
Rookie right tackle Evan Neal, rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger, guard Ben Bredeson and outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari – all starters – are expected to be available to play Sunday when the Giants (7-4) host the Commanders (7-5).
“I would just say, in general, looks promising for quite a bit of guys,” Giants Coach Brian Daboll said before practice.
The teams are on different trajectories. New York won six of its first seven but has lost three of the last four, including two straight. Washington has won three straight and 6 of 7 after starting 1-4.
There are still are few injured players who may not be able to get back. Top cornerback Adoree Jackson (knee), guard Josh Ezeudu (neck), guard Shane Lemieux (toe) and cornerback Cor’Dale Flott (concussion protocol) did not practice. Flott was hurt on Thanksgiving against Dallas. The others missed the loss to the Cowboys.
PACKERS: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he expects to play Sunday at Chicago after a rib injury knocked him out of a 40-33 loss at Philadelphia.
“I got good news with the scans yesterday, so I plan on playing this week,” Rodgers said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on YouTube and SiriusXM.
Rodgers left in the second half against the Eagles because of the rib injury. He already has been playing with a broken right thumb, an injury he sustained on the final play of a 27-22 loss to the New York Giants on Oct. 9.
“There was an earlier shot in the game that kind of rattled the ribcage,” Rodgers said. “I was trying to stretch some things out at halftime a little bit and realized it probably wasn’t some sort of muscle injury. And I just got hit again in the third quarter and was just having a hard time breathing.”
Rodgers said he wouldn’t be surprised if the injury limited his practice time.
“I might miss practice Wednesday and not be a full contributor, but that’s kind of been standard for the last, I don’t know, six or seven weeks,” Rodgers said. “(We’ll) go to one of my favorite places to play down in Chicago and hopefully get a big win, get into the bye week, get healthy and see where we can get to.”
BEARS: The Chicago Bears placed safety Eddie Jackson on injured reserve because of a foot injury that could keep him out for the remainder of the season.
The Bears (3-9) are last in the NFC North with five games remaining. They’ve dropped five in a row and are coming off a loss to the New York Jets that was particularly painful.
Leading receiver Darnell Mooney suffered a season-ending ankle injury that Coach Matt Eberflus said requires surgery. The Bears placed him on IR on Tuesday and signed practice squad defensive back A.J. Thomas to the active roster.
With Jackson, tied for third in the NFL with four interceptions, also going down against New York, the Bears lost two leaders. He was hurt in the second quarter.
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