Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola suffered a high-ankle sprain yesterday against the Rams, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The plan now is to make sure he’s ready for the playoffs, Rapoport writes, so it sounds like he could be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. 
Once a focal part of the Pats’ offense, Amendola has been downgraded to more of a supporting role this season. In 12 games, the veteran has just 23 catches for 243 yards, though he does have a career high of four receiving touchdowns. That’s a step down from last year’s 65 grabs for 648 yards or his 2012 season in which he had 54 catches for 633 yards in a 12-game season.
Amendola’s injury is unfortunate, particularly after losing star tight end Rob Gronkowski. However, the Pats do have an impactful receiver in rookie Malcolm Mitchell. Yesterday, the fourth-round pick caught eight of ten targets for 82 yards. His targets and production have been ramping up in recent weeks and it is expected that he will continue to draw looks going forward.
It also helps that the Pats more or less have the AFC East sewn up. Over the next month, the Pats are pretty much playing for the top seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
As a Steeler fan, I was hoping that they could beat the Ravens this coming week, but that is starting to look doubtful. Who does Tom have left to throw to at this point?
Believe it or not, this team is actually better equipped than in the past to overcome injuries. In 2013 they lost Gronk to an ACL tear. They had Edelman, an injured Amendola, Arron Dobson, Kembrell Thomkins, Austin Collie and some TE who’s name I forget. They went 12-4 and made it to the AFC Championship game. This year they still have Edelmen, this rookie Mitchell (mentioned in the article), Chris Hogan who’s made some big plays, plus they are deeper than ever at running back. I still see them getting to the AFC Championship. Though they may lose to BAL this week as the Ravens tend to play the Pats very tough. Even with Gronk.
Also, don’t forget Martellus Bennett. He’s no Gronk or Eifert but he’s still one of the top 10 TEs in the game.
What kills me is that the only reason he was in there is because Jones can’t seem to catch a kick