Foxboro, MA – New England Patriots will definitely be without one of their two Pro Bowl tight ends for their Thanksgiving night showdown with the rival New York Jets, and it's still unclear as to will they have the other for Thursday's game.
Aaron Hernandez, still making his way back from an ankle sprain he initially sustained in mid-September, was listed as questionable after putting in a second straight limited practice on Wednesday. The third-year standout has missed the team's last three games and six of the last eight contests due to the injury.
Hernandez was also limited in practice all throughout last week, but was held out of Sunday's 59-24 victory over Indianapolis.
If he's able to return against the Jets, it would be welcome news for an offense that will be without All-Pro counterpart Rob Gronkowski for likely at least a month after he fractured his forearm in Sunday's triumph.
The Patriots also won't have four-time Pro Bowl left guard Logan Mankins for a second straight outing because of an ankle injury, while the defense will be without rookie end Chandler Jones after the 2012 first-round pick hurt his ankle against the Colts.
Jones is tied for the team lead with six sacks and registered 34 tackles while starting each of the first 10 games.
Wide receivers Wes Welker (ankle) and Brandon Lloyd (knee) were among 13 New England players termed questionable, a list that also includes safeties Patrick Chung (shoulder) and Steve Gregory (hip), guard Dan Connolly (back), linebackers Brandon Spikes (knee) and Dont'a Hightower (hamstring) and offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back).
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