The hits keep coming for the Patriots.
The team downgraded safety Jabrill Peppers to out for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
Peppers, who was limited in practice all week with a shoulder injury, has been battling a myriad of injuries the past few weeks.
Fellow safety Kyle Dugger, who didn’t participate at all in practice during the week due to an ankle injury, was listed as “questionable.”
So the Patriots could be without both of their starting safeties. The Dolphins have one of the fleetest receiving corps in the league with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Malik Washington.
The 1-3 Patriots have been ravaged by injuries on both sides of the ball. They’ve lost three straight and list a dozen players as “questionable” for the game.
Earlier in the week, the Patriots lost starting center David Andrews for the year. He was placed on IR with a shoulder injury and is expected to undergo surgery. Rookie offensive lineman Caedan Wallace (ankle) was also placed on IR.
Coach Jerod Mayo said Friday tough times are part of the job.
“It’s always frustrating when you’re not winning. The guys put a lot of work in, and everyone wants to try to find a solution right now while we’re going through this transition,” he said Friday. “People are definitely frustrated, and that’s a normal human response. I feel pretty good about the way that we’re going. I used an analogy this morning. It’s almost like flying through the clouds, but you have to use the instruments until you get to clear skies. When I took this job, I knew the lumps would come. It’s part of the transition.”
