FOXBORO — The Patriots were down three captains at Wednesday’s practice, where wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, linebacker Sione Takitaki and safety Marte Mapu hit the field for the first time this season.
All three players can be activated to the 53-man roster any time in the coming 21 days. If they are not activated, they will miss the remainder of the year. Bourne and Takitaki started the season on the Physically Unable to Play (PUP) list, while Mapu opened on injured reserve after getting hurt early in training camp.
The Patriots also worked without center David Andrews, safeties Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers — all captains — plus offensive tackle Caedan Wallace. Andrews is expected to be placed on injured reserve and undergo shoulder surgery. Dugger and Wallace left last week’s loss at San Francisco with ankle injuries, while Peppers has been banged up at various times this season.
Backup guard/center Nick Leverett replaced Andrews during the team’s loss to the 49ers. The Patriots’ next available safeties are veteran Jaylinn Hawkin, undrafted rookie Dell Pettus, core special teamer Brenden Schooler and Mapu.
The Patriots will release their first injury report of the week Wednesday evening.
