Patriots injuries: When they happened, What impact they've had

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — An overview of the Patriots recent injuries with outlooks and ramifications from their absences:

Nate Solder – Left Tackle

Injury: Torn Bicep (suffered in win over Dallas)
Expected Return: 2016 season
Impact: Solder is a rock at left tackle and his absence has led to uncertainty on Tom Brady's blind side, but in a strange twist of fate, because of his season-ending injury, he is able to spend more time with his son, recently diagnosed with kidney cancer.

Tarell Brown – Cornerback

Injury: Foot (suffered in win over Jacksonville)
Expected Return: 2016 season
Impact: The Patriots defensive secondary was considered a weakness as the season began, but players like Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan have stepped up, even more so with Brown on the sideline.

Ryan Wendell – Offensive Line

Injury: Knee (suffered in win over Jets)
Expected Return: 2016 season
Impact: Wendell missed the beginning of the season with an undisclosed illness and wound up on the IR list when Bryan Stork was able to return from his injury.

Jamie Collins – Defensive End

Injury: Viral Illness
Expected Return: Possibly this week against Eagles
Collins was quarantined from the team after he contracted a virus that was contagious. It apparently sapped his strength, so getting back to game shape has been the focus. Collins game is based on his athleticism, so the Patriots are being conservative with his return to game action.

Dion Lewis – Running Back

Injury – Knee (suffered in win over Redskins)  
Expected Return: 2016 season
Impact: The 2015 version of Lewis has been irreplaceable since he was hurt in the Washington game.  Finding alternative options has greatly impacted the offensive game-planning for New England. His presence is missed deeply.

Julian Edelman – Wide Receiver  

Injury: Foot (suffered in win over Giants)
Expected return: Mid-January
Impact: Tom Brady lost his security blanket when Edelman broke his foot in New Jersey. He was the leading receiver on the team and will be immediately re-inserted significantly in the game plan when he's able to return to action in the postseason.

Danny Amendola – WR

Injury: Knee (suffered in win over Bills)
Expected Return: Possibly this week against Eagles
Impact: Amendola took advantage of his opportunity when Edelman was injured, but tweaked the knee in the second half against Buffalo. His return would give Brady the experienced slot receiver he needs to efficiently run the offense.

Aaron Dobson - WR

Injury: Ankle (suffered in win over Bills) 
Expected Return: 2016 season 
Impact: Dobson fell victim to the numbers game after suffering a high ankle sprain against Buffalo on Monday night. The Patriots had to keep Amendola and Edelman on the active roster and couldn't afford to wait for Dobson's injury to heal - typically four weeks. He was placed on season ending injured reserve.

Rob Gronkowski – TE

Injury: Knee (suffered in loss to Broncos)
Expected Return: Next week against Texans
Impact: Gronkowski is the best tight end of his generation and his physical presence and sure hands can't be replaced on the field. Luckily, Sunday's injury was deemed a strain of the right knee, so Gronk's return will be dependent on his pain management.

Don'ta Hightower – LB

Injury: Knee (suffered in loss to Broncos)
Expected Return: Uncertain
Impact: Hightower is the best linebacker on the Patriots roster and his presence was missed after he injured his knee Sunday night in Buffalo. Deemed a right MCL sprain, its uncertain how long the injury will keep Hightower off the field.

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