NFL Player News

Kennedy (abdomen) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Minnesota.

Kennedy was limited in all three walkthrough practices due to an abdominal injury, and his status may not be officially known until approximately 90 minutes before Thursday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff, when the Lions announce their list of inactive players. Jacob Saylors and Kalif Raymond would be slated to take on larger roles as returners on kickoffs and punts if Kennedy is not cleared to play.

Tonga (foot) did not practice Wednesday.

Tonga is considered week-to-week due to a foot injury he sustained against the Ravens in Week 16. That makes it unlikely that he'll play against the Jets on Sunday, in which case Eric Gregory would be poised to take on a larger role at defensive tackle. Tonga's practice participation over the next two days will shed light on his chances of playing Week 17.

Spillane (ankle) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Spillane was inactive for the Patriots' Week 16 win over the Ravens and did not play against the Bills in Week 15 due to a lingering ankle injury. He'll have two more opportunities to return to practice and give himself a chance to play in Sunday's AFC East clash against the Jets. Jack Gibbens will continue to start at inside linebacker for as long as Spillane is sidelined.

Landry (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

Landry will have his practice reps limited while working through a knee injury he sustained in late November. The injury hasn't prevented him from playing, and he'll likely be available to play against the Jets on Sunday. The 2018 second-rounder has totalled 48 tackles (27 solo), including 8.5 sacks, and one forced fumble through 15 regular-season games in his first year in New England.

Dippre (illness) did not practice Wednesday.

The undrafted free agent is working through an illness, but he'll have two more chances to log a full practice and avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jets. Dippre signed to the Patriots' active roster in mid-November but has yet to appear in a regular-season game.

Davis (illness) did not practice Wednesday.

Davis was able to play through a hip issue against the Ravens in Week 16, when he finished with eight tackles (six solo) while playing 98 percent of the Patriots' defensive snaps. He is now battling through an illness, but he would avoid an injury designation for Sunday's AFC East tilt against the Jets if he were to log a full practice by Friday.

Newsome (shoulder/personal) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Newsome sustained a shoulder injury during the fourth quarter of Jacksonville's Week 16 win over Denver and was unable to return, finishing with three solo tackles. He was unable to practice Wednesday due to the injury while also attending to a personal matter, and he'll have two more chances to practice in full and avoid an injury designation heading into Sunday's road tilt against the Colts.

Taylor (neck) didn't practice Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor has missed two straight games, and a DNP on Wednesday isn't a good sign as Sunday's contest against New England approaches. If he remains sidelined this weekend, Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt and Jelani Woods would handle the Jets' Week 17 TE duties, as they did in the team's Week 16 loss to New Orleans, a game in which Smartt was the busiest of the trio, catching all five of his targets for 34 yards.

Lewis (foot) did not practice Wednesday.

Lewis likely picked up the injury during the Jaguars' Week 16 win over the Broncos, when he recorded four tackles (two solo) and one pass defense. He would avoid an injury designation for Sunday's AFC South tilt against the Colts if he were to practice fully by Friday.

Vidal (neck) didn't practice Wednesday.

Vidal also logged a DNP on Tuesday, so what the running back is able to do Thursday -- if anything -- will be pivotal in terms of his chances of playing Saturday against the Texans. If Vidal is unavailable this weekend, Omarion Hampton would figure to be busy against Houston, with fellow RBs Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson in reserve.