FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- With full practices now closed to reporters, there is a little more educated guesswork when it comes to which New England Patriots players won't suit up for Friday night's preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.
We'll circle back closer to game-time when it becomes more clear, but here's the snapshot look:
OT Sebastian Vollmer -- Starting right tackle has missed the entire week of practice, all but ensuring he won't play tonight. The Boston Globe reported that it's a foot injury and not considered serious.
TE Michael Hoomanawanui -- Just returned to practice this week after getting hurt on the fourth day of training camp, but hasn't been taking a full workload, so he'll need a little more time.
TE Rob Gronkowski -- He's graduated to 11-on-11 drills, but he's not expected to play tonight.
C Bryan Stork -- Rookie who has been out of practice since July 29 has been inching closer to a return to action, but hadn't returned to full-team work by the start of the week.
DL Dominique Easley -- First-round draft choice graduated to 11-on-11 drills this week, which is a sign of progress, but he's not yet taking a full workload.
DL Chris Jones -- Not practicing yet after getting his lower leg rolled up on in the preseason opener against Washington.
DL Sealver Siliga -- Hasn't practiced since injuring his left hand Aug. 5 in a joint practice with Washington, as the hand remains in a cast/protective brace.
LB Cameron Gordon -- Undrafted free-agent has been out since the sixth practice of camp with an undisclosed ailment.
WR Aaron Dobson -- Just started taking some limited reps in 11-on-11 work this week, which is a sign of progress, but he seems to still need some more time before he's ready for a game.
OTHERS TO CONSIDER: LB Jerod Mayo, DL Jerel Worthy, DL Ben Bass, WR Jeremy Gallon, LB James Morris, CB Alfonzo Dennard, S Kanorris Davis, LB Ja'Gared Davis, LB James Anderson
