The Patriots' defense won't be at full strength Sunday as linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who's been battling a calf injury for weeks, is ruled out against the Steelers:
LB Kyle Van Noy (calf) and core special teamer Brandon King (hamstring) have been downgraded to out by the Patriots. A hit for front-7 without Van Noy, their top playtime LB.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 17, 2017
And NBC Sports Boston's Mike Giardi wonders if it could have been avoided:
I'll keep going back to in Buffalo.