FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- There are 12 players on the New England Patriots' roster who have never appeared in a playoff game, with receiver Brandin Cooks one of the headliners on the list.
“This is what you play the game for, moments like this,” Cooks said Thursday after the team’s second and final practice of the playoff bye week. “To have my first opportunity, I just look forward to it.”
Cooks, who finished second on the team with 65 receptions for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns, said the past two days of practice have been “on little details and fundamentals and getting things right.” And while anticipation is high for the playoffs, the 24-year-old is keeping things in perspective.
“As far as amping everything up, I wouldn’t necessarily say that. You know what time of year it is, don’t get me wrong. It’s a win-or-go-home-type thing, but I think Coach does a great job of keeping us honed in,” he said.
The Patriots will host the Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans or Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round Jan. 13, but Cooks isn’t planning to watch the other playoff games.
“I’d just rather focus on how I can get better, and help the team get better, rather than sitting and watching the game as a fan,” he said.
With Cooks as the springboard, here are the other 11 Patriots who haven’t appeared in a playoff game:
WR Kenny Britt: The nine-year veteran was with the Titans (2009-13), Rams (2014-16) and Browns (2017) before joining the Patriots in December (he’s played 40 snaps over the past three games). Asked about Britt on Thursday, coach Bill Belichick said, “He works hard, he’s in tune to what he needs to do. I’d say you see him spending extra time working on things to try and do his job better. I totally respect that.”
DL Adam Butler: The undrafted rookie from Vanderbilt was singled out by Belichick for some strong interior rushes. He played 43.7 percent of the defensive snaps in the regular season and his primary role comes in obvious passing situations.
OL Cole Croston: The undrafted free agent from Iowa has mostly had a redshirt season, which means he projects to be inactive for the playoffs unless there is an injury to a player ahead of him on the depth chart.
WR Phillip Dorsett: Acquired from the Colts in September in exchange for quarterback Jacoby Brissett, the third-year pro played 33 percent of the offensive snaps and finished with 12 receptions for 194 yards.
RB Mike Gillislee: The fourth option on the depth chart, he has missed practice the past two weeks with a knee injury and might be inactive even if healthy. After opening the season as the team’s top rusher, the fourth-year player was passed by Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead and finished with 104 carries for 383 yards and five touchdowns.
CB Stephon Gilmore: After five seasons with the Bills, he signed a lucrative free-agent deal with the Patriots and played 77 percent of the defensive snaps. He finished with 50 tackles with two interceptions and nine passes defended.
LB Nicholas Grigsby: Signed off the Ravens' practice squad Nov. 28, the second-year pro has settled into a key role on special teams, totaling five tackles and being compared to former Patriots special-teamer Tracy White in the process.
TE Jacob Hollister: Undrafted out of Wyoming, he played 7.6 percent of the offensive snaps as the No. 3 option and finished with four receptions for 42 yards. His primary contributions have come on special teams (four tackles).
DE Eric Lee: Signed off the Bills’ practice squad Nov. 21, the 23-year-old played 282 defensive snaps over six games. He totaled 19 tackles with 3.5 sacks and one interception.
OT LaAdrian Waddle: The five-year veteran has been limited in practice with an ankle injury, but he has proved to be a solid fallback option at a hard-to-fill position. He played 29.4 percent of the offensive snaps this season. Cameron Fleming has been starting at right tackle over him of late.
DE Deatrich Wise Jr.: The team’s most productive rookie, he played 51.3 percent of the defensive snaps in the regular season and totaled 26 tackles with five sacks. He was praised for his work ethic by Belichick. He’s been most effective as a designated pass-rusher.