Logan Mankins out Sunday, doesn't travel with team

Boston Herald:
Left guard Logan Mankins did not travel with the team to Buffalo and will not play tomorrow against the Bills, according to CSNNE.com. Mankins suffered a hip injury last week and was a game-time decision against the Ravens, but he was given the green light after running through an intense pregame routine with strength and conditioning coach Harold Nash. Mankins played fine that night, but he couldn’t practice this week.

This is one of the things that the Patriots really couldn't afford to happen. They are extremely thin on the offensive line and Mankins is indisputably their best player there. Either Donald Thomas or Nick McDonald will fill in against the Bills' dangerous front.

Mankins played through all of 2011 with a torn ACL, secretly. He wasn't able to hide whatever this hip injury is and has missed practice all week.

It will be very difficult for the Patriots to keep Tom Brady upright tomorrow.