The New England Patriots will host the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 for their final meeting of the season. The two AFC East teams will meet for the second time this season. When the two teams first met two weeks ago, the Patriots led 14-0 at Orchard Park but lost 24-21.

The Pats have the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after last week’s win over the New York Giants. However, a win at Gillette Stadium this week could see them fall from first place.

We take a look at the Patriots’ injury report for Week 18.

Patriots Week 18 injury report

this new england patriots On Wednesday, 15 players were listed on the first injury report of the week, including four DNP players.

QB Derek Meyer He was on the team’s injury report as a limited participant due to a right-hand injury. CB Christian Gonzalez did not practice Wednesday after exiting last week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers early with a concussion.

wide receiver Keshan Butt (illness), center Ben Brown (concussion) and wide receiver Jalin Polk (shoulder) also did not participate in practice.

Other players listed as limited for practice Wednesday include safety Kyle Dugger (ankle/quadriceps), tight end Hunter Henry (foot), linebacker Anfernee Jennings ( Knee), linebacker Titus Leo (ankle), safety Jabril Peppers (hamstring), safety Brenden Schooler (abdominal), linebacker Sione Takitaki (knee), linebacker Jahlani Tavai (knee) and tackled Kaden Wallace (ankle).

Derek Meyer injury update

New England Patriots head coach Jerrold Mayo reiterated Wednesday that Derek Meyer will play in Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills if he is healthy and available. However, later in the day, the quarterback was placed on the injured list as a limited practice participant due to hand issues.

Meyer injured his finger last week against the Chargers, but it’s not thought to be a big issue. He temporarily left the game in the first quarter due to a head injury, but he returned in the second quarter and played until the end of the fourth quarter, catching 12 passes, 117 passing yards and 1 score.

If Meyer is not fully recovered, the Patriots will not play him on Sunday. The team may ultimately decide to rest him to prevent him from suffering a more serious injury, especially since a loss to Buffalo would ensure they have the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Jalynn Polk injury update

Jalin Polk almost didn’t play in the Patriots’ final game against the Chargers as he was targeted just once and didn’t catch a ball. But it looked like he injured his shoulder in that game.

To have a chance against the Bills in Week 18, Polk will likely need to return to practice on Thursday or Friday, at least in a limited capacity, and start the week as a DNP on Wednesday.

Christian Gonzalez injury update

It was no surprise that cornerback Christian Gonzalez did not participate in Wednesday’s practice after suffering a head injury in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Gonzalez entered the medical tent and was initially deemed unable to return after suffering a head injury last week. But shortly before half-time, he was finally declared ineligible to play again.

Regarding Gonzalez’s status for Week 18, Jerod Mayo said:

“He’s still in the agreement, so I don’t want to go too far down that line.”

Gonzalez is unlikely to play against the Bills.