Wide receiver Danny Amendola was upgraded on the Patriots practice report to limited participation Thursday.
Amendola, who injured his knee in the third quarter of Monday night's win over the Bills, attended but did not participate in Wednesday's walkthrough.
Amendola had an MRI Tuesday and was diagnosed with a knee sprain, according to a CSNNE report. He isn't expected to miss significant time, and his participation Thursday means he's still in play to be in the lineup against the Broncos Sunday night in Denver.
One of the team's most reliable players and an exceptional return man, Amendola collected nine passes for 117 yards against Buffalo, his seventh career 100-yard game. It was unclear exactly when Amendola suffered the injury, but he was clearly hobbling during James White's 6-yard touchdown run, which came a play after Amendola's 41-yard catch-and-run on a pass from Tom Brady.
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The offense struggled after Amendola's exit, as Brady completed just 3 of 7 passes for 42 yards and interception from then on.
Amendola has 19 catches for 196 yards in the last two games.
Brady talked this week about the adjustments the team must make against Denver to compensate for injuries.
"I think there's always creativity to what we're trying to do, because every week it's just something different,'' he said. "This defense that we're playing is the best defense in the NFL, so they do everything well.
"We've got to be smart with the ball. That's a huge key of the game is them being able to take it off of you and return it for touchdowns and so forth, so they're very tough, tough in all areas.''
Tight end Rob Gronkowski, whose targets are bound to increase if Amendola isn't able to return, said the team doesn't spend much time thinking about injuries — and certainly doesn't have time to feel sorry for itself.
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"It's definitely a challenge, and whenever you see a challenge, you've got to rise up,'' he said. "Players have got to step in, other players have to take on bigger roles, and whatever the coaches plan, whatever they design — just as a player, just got to go out there and perform to my best ability and do it well.''
Dobson out for year
The news was not as good for receiver Aaron Dobson, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the Bills game. The Patriots Thursday placed Dobson on season-ending injured reserve.
Dobson was hurt on a play in which he made a great grab on a 17-yard gain in the second quarter. He was helped to the sideline before being carted off to the locker room.
It is the second straight season Dobson has been placed on IR. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 13 in 2014, ending his season.
In his place, the Patriots signed safety Dewey McDonald to the 53-man roster.
First things
One of the biggest challenges facing the Patriots Sunday is getting off to a good start — not only in the game but on every series. The Denver defense is tops in the league at 284.3 yards allowed per game and tops against the pass at 190.6. Plus, the Broncos have a tremendous pass rush, so third-and-long situations play right into their hands.
"They've been really good, hard to run against and very disruptive in the passing game, so that creates second- and third-and-long obviously,'' coach Bill Belichick said Thursday. "Third down is important because it's a possession down, but first down has a lot to do with third down, and being able to get off to a good start at the beginning of a series or the initial first-down play and not face two long-yardage situations.
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"They've done a great job of that and that's helped their defense. A number of their turnovers and disruptive plays have come in those long-yardage situations where the quarterback has got to hold the ball and bad things happen, whether it's strip sacks or coverage getting to the play, tipped balls, interceptions and all that."
Injury updates
Linebacker Jamie Collins did not practice — the 19th straight day of inactivity for the team's third-leading tackler. He has been out with an illness.
Also not participating were cornerback Justin Coleman (hand) and receiver Julian Edelman (foot).
In addition to Amendola, there was a lengthy list of limited participants, including offensive linemen Marcus Cannon (toe), Tre' Jackson (knee), and Shaq Mason (knee); defensive lineman Alan Branch (elbow); defensive end Chandler Jones (abdomen); receiver Keshawn Martin (hamstring); and tight end Michael Williams (knee).
On a positive note, offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (concussion) was removed from the list, as was special teams ace Matthew Slater, who missed Wednesday's workout because of the birth of his child.
Ware is ailing
DeMarcus Ware, who leads the Broncos with 6½ sacks, did not participate in practice Thursday and is not likely to play against the Patriots because of a back ailment, according to the Denver Post . . . Denver linebacker Von Miller has five sacks in his last seven games . . . Brady has won five of his last six starts against the Broncos with 17 touchdown passes, 2 interceptions, and a 111.1 passer rating . . . Gronkowski has 34 receptions for 428 yards and 5 TDs in five career games against Denver.
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Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com