Patriots Injury Report: Problem Could Return With Missing Defender

The Patriots could be without two defensive starters Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

New England remained without safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) and linebacker Christian Elliss (abdomen) at practice on Thursday, with both players being listed as non-participants on the club’s official injury report.

Dugger’s absence has persisted for nearly three weeks, while Elliss’ loss would be huge considering his emergence in the middle of the defense. The Patriots have increased the 25-year-old’s role in recent weeks, playing him in roughly 65% of defensive snaps. Raekwon McMillan and Sione Takitaki would be expected to step up in the event of his absence.

It’s not all bad, however, as running back JaMycal Hasty (personal) returned after missing practice Tuesday.

The Patriots’ latest injury report can be found here:

DID NOT PARTICIPATE
S Kyle Dugger, Ankle
LB Christian Elliss, Abdomen

LIMITED PARTICIPATION
DT Daniel Ekuale, Abdomen
T Vederian Lowe, Shoulder
S Marte Mapu, Neck
DT Jaquelin Roy, Neck
LB Sione Takitaki, Knee
DE Keion White, Knee

FULL PARTICIPATION
CB Alex Austin, Ankle
G Michael Jordan, Ankle
G Layden Robinson, Ankle

The Bears had a lengthy injury report, with linebacker Noah Sewell (knee) joining offensive linemen Kiran Amegadjie (calf) and Darnell Wright (knee), and defensive back Jaquan Brisker (concussion) as non-participants.