The New England Patriots might have tipped their hand to Jamie Collins’ availability on Saturday.
The Patriots waived outside linebacker Darius Fleming and signed a more traditional linebacker, Deontae Skinner, from their practice squad, according to the league’s transaction wire. Collins missed practice Friday after being limited Thursday with a thigh injury. He’s officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Collins started at inside linebacker last week against the Miami Dolphins and missed just one snap on defense. If he can’t play against the Vikings on Sunday, the Patriots likely will either move Rob Ninkovich to strong-side linebacker in a 4-3 defense or slide Chandler Jones to outside linebacker and Dont’a Hightower inside in a 3-4.
Fleming, selected in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, has yet to make his NFL debut. He suffered torn ACLs before the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
Photo via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports Images
