RB Laurence Maroney (above), WR Julian Edelman, and WR Randy Moss all mised Patriots' practice on Wednesday.
The Patriots were without RB Laurence Maroney and WR Julian Edelman during Wednesday’s practice, stiring up concerns about the duo’s availability for Week 1.
Though they did not participate in any drills, both Maroney and Edelman attended the session, watching in sweats from the sidelines according to the Boston Herald. Their status for Sunday’s opener against Cincinnati is still unknown at this time.
Maroney’s reason for absence was listed as a groin injury, confirming last week’s report from the Boston Globe that the 5th-year running back was battling multiple injuries this offseason. Edelman, who has miss the last two weeks with a previously undisclosed injury, was listed out with an ankle issue.
According to ESPNBoston.com‘s Mike Reiss, WR Randy Moss was also a no-show on Wednesday due to an illness. Moss is still scheduled to play in the opener and his absentee-status has nothing to do with the displeasure he voiced over his contract negotiations with the Patriots on Monday.
Maroney’s preseason was troubling after he rushed for 30 yards and 2 TDs in the Patriots exhibition opener vs. New Orleans. He missed two games and countless practices with what now look like a number of injuries and has slipped considerably in the depth chart. Fred Taylor is the clear-cut starter against the Bengals, and likely for the entire season.