FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Fred Taylor are hopeful the running back’s ankle surgery Thursday isn’t season ending.
“We’ll list him on the injury report weekly as we always do,” Belichick said Friday when asked if Taylor will return this season. “I think obviously if he wasn’t going to come back this season, then we would place him on injured reserve at some point.”
Taylor said the surgery to repair ligament damage in his right ankle was “more serious than a scope” but doesn’t expect it to sideline him the entire season.
Taylor, New England’s leading rusher with 201 yards on 45 carries, said he “will bounce back stronger. I know it. I’ve prayed on it.”
The Patriots also are hopeful linebacker Jerod Mayo will return for Sunday’s game against the Broncos after being sidelined since suffering a right knee injury against Buffalo in the opener. He had limited participation in practice this week and was listed as questionable on the injury report Friday.
Other Patriots questionable after limited participation in practice are tackle Nick Kaczur (ankle), safety James Sanders (shoulder), cornerback Shawn Springs (knee), receiver Wes Welker (knee) and nose tackle Vince Wilfork (ankle). Linebacker Adalius Thomas missed practice for a noninjury-related reason and was listed as probable.
Giants’ Manning returns to practice
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Giants quarterback Eli Manning returned to practice and showed no ill effects of the injured right heel that kept him out the previous two days.
Manning is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Raiders, and coach Tom Coughlin said it will more than likely be a game-time decision whether he will play.
“I know he wants to play in the worst way, but we’re not going to go against the medical people,” Coughlin said.
Footnotes.
Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (rib) completed his third consecutive practice and is expected to start Sunday against Jacksonville.
• Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (knee) practiced only lightly for the third day in a row and is not expected to play Sunday in Detroit.
• Colts safety Bob Sanders is doubtful for Sunday night’s game at Tennessee, marking the first time this season he has not been ruled out of a game after undergoing surgery on his right knee in the spring.
The Associated Press
