The Patriots and Panthers have released their injury reports after Saturday practices. Nothing of note here really. New England won't have cornerback Alfonzo Dennard or safety Steve Gregory, which hurts their secondary, but they are expected to have Aqib Talib back in the lineup; officially, he's questionable. Kyle Arrington is also questionable but expected to play. Talib is expected to shadow Steve Smith.
With Shane Vereen, he hasn't been officially activated from short-term IR as of yet. He's not listed on the injury report, and there's been no indication he won't be available, but there's a level of uncertainty until he's officially activated. Once he is, if he is, we'll list in the Newsblast section of our website.
Rob Gronkowski (forearm) is probable; he's fine.
Carolina won't have linebacker Chase Blackburn; he's out. Cornerback Drayton Florence is questionable with a groin injury and didn't practice on Saturday. His absence would help New England's passing attack, but Ron Rivera says he's confident Florence will play; that his absence from practice was just precautionary due to soreness.
No other injuries or absences of note; again, we'll update the Vereen information when it becomes available.
--Andy Richardson
