The New England Patriots will have to try to beat the Minnesota Vikings without their most athletic linebacker.
Jamie Collins has been downgraded to out with a thigh injury, the Patriots announced. Collins originally was listed on the Patriots’ injury report as questionable.
The Patriots also downgraded defensive end Michael Buchanan (ankle) and center Ryan Wendell (knee) to out.
Collins, who didn’t practice Friday, likely suffered the injury during Thursday’s practice, when he was listed as limited. The Patriots signed rookie linebacker Deontae Skinner from their practice squad and waived edge defender Darius Fleming.
Collins specializes in covering tight ends, and the Vikings have a good one in fourth-year pro Kyle Rudolph. Linebackers Jerod Mayo, Dont’a Hightower and Rob Ninkovich will have to pick up the slack with some help from safeties Devin McCourty, Tavon Wilson and Patrick Chung.
