FOXBORO -- The Patriots could have a special-teams issue brewing. Though their regulars aren't expected to play, a handful of their top special-teams players weren't even in uniform before the preseason finale.
Shea McClellin, Nate Ebner and Harvey Langi were all missing from pregame warmups Thursday night. All three players missed practice time earlier in the week. Makes sense the Patriots added a linebacker with special teams experience, Marquis Flowers, earlier this week via trade.
Also missing from the field before Thursday's game were Andrew Jelks (NFI), Keionta Davis, Tony Garcia and Deatrich Wise. Wise is still working his way back from a concussion he suffered in the preseason opener.