FOXBORO -- A little time off has apparently done Chris Hogan a world of good.
The Patriots receiver suffered a shoulder injury in Week 8, he returned for one game in Week 14, then he missed the remainder of the regular season. With a bye last week, it's been about a month since Hogan was last on the field, and on Thursday he was removed from the Patriots injury report for the first time since being injured against the Chargers in October.
With Hogan now available, the Patriots offense should receive a boost. He'll provide Tom Brady with a trusted option on the outside and potentially open up some space for teammates in the passing game. If Hogan is on the field in two-receiver sets, it's possible he's aligned across from former teammate and current Titans corner Logan Ryan.
Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy was also removed from the injury report after dealing with a calf injury since Week 13. Van Noy could play a critical role against the Titans. He's athletic enough to help keep Marcus Mariota in check in scramble situations, and he's stout enough against the run to be useful in slowing down Derrick Henry on early downs. Van Noy has also become one of the leaders in the front seven, and one of the team's primary communicators defensively, meaning the group will gain some added leadership if he can handle a normal workload.
James White (ankle), Alan Branch (knee) and Marquis Flowers (illness) have all provided indications this week that they'll be healthy enough to play Saturday night.
Here's the full injury report for Saturday's Patriots-Titans game:
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
New England Patriots
QUESTIONABLE
DL Alan Branch (knee)
RB Rex Burkhead (knee)
LB Marquis Flowers (illness)
RB Mike Gillislee (knee)
DL Eric Lee (ankle/finger)
RB James White (ankle)
OFF INJURY LIST
WR Chris Hogan (shoulder)
LB Kyle Van Noy (calf)
TENNESSEE TITANS
OUT
RB DeMarco Murray (knee)
OFF INJURY LIST
LB Brian Orakpo (not injury related)
CB Logan Ryan (ankle)
G Quinton Spain (back)