Marte

Mapu

Landry still has a chance to play, though it would be nice to see him resume practicing tomorrow. The veteran pass rusher ranks third on the team in quarterback pressures (50), second in sacks (nine) and 10th in tackles (28). Patriots LB Marte Mapu (hip) was also absent on Thursday.

Landry has been dealing with the knee issue for a few weeks now but played through it the first two playoff games for the Patriots. Also not practicing was LB Marte Mapu (hip). Mapu has not played in the playoffs yet, so he is more of a question mark. Given he has played through the knee injury already, Landry has a better chance of playing in the AFC Championship.

Safety Marte Mapu was placed on injured reserve. Both players have return designations meaning they could take the field later this season. Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots this offseason. There was no timetable for his return when the issue was announced at the start of camp, but the return designation bodes well for his recovery.

Perhaps no player improved their NFL Draft profile in the postseason evaluation process than Mapu (6’3/221). A six-year player and Sacramento State program legend, Mapu was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team FCS All-American. He was invited to the NFLPA Bowl and proceeded to blow away his peers, intercepting multiple passes and providing all-encompassing sticky coverage all week in practice sessions. The Senior Bowl noticed and gave him a secondary invitation which earned him significant exposure since players don’t end up at the Senior Bowl by accident, though he suffered a chest injury that knocked him out of Combine testing. Mapu held his own at the Senior Bowl by displaying the perfect, Tetris-esque fits he deployed during his days as a linebacker. He has an advanced feel for space in zone and the kind of banger demeanor the NFL looks for in a modern enforcer. Mapu will be an instant special teams contributor with backup box-safety value and the ability to play off ball linebacker in a pinch.