Maclin, Cooper To Sit Against Pats


Photo by: Jeff Fusco.

Photo by: Jeff Fusco.

FOXBORO, MASS. — Starting receivers Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin are sitting out tonight’s tilt against the Patriots, as expected.

Maclin injured his left hamstring in practice Wednesday and did not take part in Thursday’s light practice with New England. Cooper is still dealing with a foot ailment. He hopes to play next week against the Steelers and is “pretty confident” he will be ready for the start of the regular season. Ifeanyi Momah and Arrelious Benn have been running with the first team in their absence.

Nolan Carroll II (groin/hamstring), Jaylen Watkins (hamstring), Chris Polk (hamstring), Matthew Tucker (hamstring), David Fluellen, Jake Knott (hamstring) and Julian Vandervelde (back) are also expected to sit. With Tucker, Polk, and Fluellen sidelined, LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles and Henry Josey are left to carry the bulk of the load. Damaris Johnson worked in at running back some this week at practice.

The starters are expected to play about a half. Kickoff is a 7:30 p.m. from Gillette Stadium.