Patriots could be without Stephon Gilmore and Eric Rowe this Sunday

Greg M. Cooper | USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Eric Rowe have remained out of multiple practices this week, ahead of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Both players missed practices due to injuries – Gilmore with a concussion and Eric Rowe with a groin injury.

Gilmore appeared on the injury report just a day before last week’s game against the New York Jets. It is reported by ESPN’s Josina Anderson that the cornerback was experiencing headaches after a collision with receiver Mike Evans in the Tampa Bay game on Oct. 5.

Rowe hasn’t seemed playing time since obtaining a groin injury in the Oct. 1 game against the Carolina Panthers.

With the likelihood of these two remaining out for Sunday’s game being very high, that leaves the Patriots’ defense with Malcolm Butler, Johnson Bademosi and Jonathan Jones to fulfill cornerback duties.

Safeties Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty have versatility and talent that could be used in cornerback-type situations. Also available to step up are Duron Harmon, Jordan Richards and Nate Ebner.

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