Super Bowl 2017 Injury Report Latest: Patriots, Falcons Who Will, Won’t Play Sunday

If the Super Bowl was decided by who had the healthiest roster prior to the big game, the Atlanta Falcons would be favored over the New England Patriots prior to Sunday’s championship at NRG Stadium in Houston. Before the kickoff around 6:30 p.m. EST, the Falcons had three players listed on their final injury report and New England had seven.

The Falcons listed Dwight Freeney, DE, (calf), Julio Jones, WR (toe) and Alex Mack, C (fibula) on their last report for just the franchise’s second Super Bowl appearance of all time. However, Atlanta had not updated each player’s status on their official report.

New England, much as head coach Bill Belichick is prone to do, listed seven total players as questionable with a litany of injuries. The injured Patriots are Patriots Martellus Bennett, TE, (knee), Alan Branch, DT, (toe), Nate Ebner, DB, (concussion), Dont’a Hightower, MLB, (shoulder), Chris Hogan, WR, (thigh), Malcolm Mitchell, WR, (knee) and Vincent Valentine, DT, (back).

Atlanta’s Jones, one of the best at his position in the league, was still expected to play on the other end of newly dubbed league MVP and quarterback Matt Ryan’s passes but it could result in surgery in the offseason. Sources told NFL.com that Atlanta would still run all of Jones’ plays but it could “necessitate offseason surgery” on torn ligaments from turf toe.

Mack was dealing with a fracture in his left fibula, or shin, and was also expected to play through the injury but how much will be determined as the game progresses, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Twitter Sunday. The Pro Bowler rested up for a full week prior to the game, but Atlanta’s success hinges on whether his offensive line, led by Mack, can keep him upright in the pocket. Ben Garland was Mack’s immediate back-up on the depth chart.

Freeney’s calf injury wasn’t considered serious and was a major boon to Atlanta’s efforts to stop Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Beside the NFL’s top sack artist, Vic Beasley, Freeney’s also chipped in 46 QB pressures, according to CBS Sports.

For New England, pressure up front against Ryan could also be a problem. Defensive tackles Valentine and Branch were each banged up, but reports indicated that Valentine’s back might be better since the Patriots didn’t place him on injured reserve, CSNNE.com reported Saturday.

Belichick told reporters Thursday that defensive back Ebner should be able to play even though he didn’t participate in contact drills this week.