FOXBORO -- The Patriots injury report on Wednesday featured the names of more than a dozen players, and on Thursday one more name was added.
It was a big one.
Linebacker Jamie Collins popped up on the team's latest injury report as he was limited in Thursday's workout due to a hip injury. The Patriots practiced in full pads on Thursday.
It goes without saying that Collins' availability will be one of the key storylines for the Patriots over the course of the next few days as they prepare to take on the Bengals at Gillette Stadium this weekend. One of the team's most versatile players, Collins has proven to be a disruptive force against both the run and the pass, and when Dont'a Hightower has missed time, Collins has been the one to run the defensive huddle, relaying calls from defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
The linebacker position for the Patriots was already relatively thin, and now three of the five players at that spot on the team's roster are dealing with injuries. Hightower has been limited with a knee injury he suffered against the Cardinals in Week 1, and Jonathan Freeny has not practiced this week as he deals with a shoulder issue. Elandon Roberts and Barkevious Mingo, who has been used primarily on special teams, have avoided the injury bug thus far.
Running back Brandon Bolden (knee) and tight end Greg Scruggs (knee) did not practice on Thursday. Guard Shaq Mason, who missed Wednesday's practice due to non-injury related reasons, was back on the field for Thursday's work.
Here's the full injury report for both the Patriots and the Bengals as they ready themselves for Sunday . . .
New England Patriots
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
RB Brandon Bolden (knee)
LB Jonathan Freeny (shoulder)
TE Greg Scruggs (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
WR Martellus Bennett (ankle)
RB LeGarrette Blount (hip)
OT Marcus Cannon (calf)
WR Julian Edelman (foot)
QB Jimmy Garoppolo (right shoulder)
TE Rob Gronkowski (hamstring)
LB Dont'a Hightower (knee)
LB Shea McClellin (concussion)
WR Malcolm Mitchell (hamstring)
LB Jamie Collins (hip)
OL Joe Thuney (shoulder)
DL Vincent Valentine (back)
CINCINNATI BENGALS
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
TE Tyler Eifert (back/ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
WR James Wright (hamstring)
CB Dre Kirkpatrick (hand)
OT Andrew Whitworth (not injury related)
FULL PARTICIPATION
G Clint Boling (shoulder)
HB Rex Burkhead (hamstring)
HB Jeremy Hill (chest)
WR A.J. Green (calf)
S George Iloka (shoulder)
TE CJ Uzomah (ankle)