The Patriots are shorthanded in Frankfurt, Germany as they get set to tackle the Colts at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Wide receiver DeVante Parker (concussion), left sort out Trent Brown (private/ankle) and cornerback J.C. Jackson (private) didn’t make the journey from the United States.
With these three out and plenty of different gamers on the roster struggling, count on these 4 gamers to tackle larger roles.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
Stevenson is lastly wanting just like the participant anticipated to line up within the backfield this season over the past two weeks. He’s set season-highs in yards after contact per speeding try in two straight weeks.
Averaging simply 2.6 yards after contact per try, Stevenson picked up 32 yards after contact on 10 makes an attempt within the Week 8 loss to the Dolphins. He picked up 78 yards after contact on 9 makes an attempt final week towards the Commanders.
Among 63 certified operating backs, Stevenson ranks thirty ninth within the metric this season. He was 57th simply two brief weeks in the past.
Stevenson has additionally been helped out by an offensive line settled by transferring Mike Onwenu from guard to proper sort out. Conor McDermott began at left sort out final week, however the unit is definitely higher when Brown is wholesome and manning that spot.
Brown isn’t the one key piece that the Patriots’ offensive line will likely be lacking in Week 10. Offensive line coach Adrian Klemm is anticipated to overlook time with an sickness because the Patriots are arrange in Germany.
They’ll have their fingers full with Colts defensive sort out DeForest Buckner.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
The Patriots tried giving Kendrick Bourne’s snaps on the “Z” vast receiver spot to Tyquan Thornton final week, however the second-year professional was benched after 1 / 4 and a half. So, then Smith-Schuster performed a significant position earlier than dropping QB Mac Jones’ last move of the sport, which bounced into Commanders cornerback Jartavius Martin’s arms for an interception.
It’s troublesome to think about the Patriots going again to giving Thornton key snaps after final week. And based mostly on how he was utilized in Week 1, it appears the Patriots view rookie Kayshon Boutte as extra of an “X” vast receiver.
So, re-enter Smith-Schuster? Before his drop, he set season highs with six catches for 51 yards. He lastly bought ultimately zone for a landing within the Patriots’ Week 8 loss to the Dolphins.
It’s far too early to say Smith-Schuster is trending upwards. But a minimum of he’s made considerably of an influence within the final two weeks.
Jalen Reagor and Boutte are the highest choices to begin rather than Parker.
DT Christian Barmore
Barmore has been one of many Patriots’ greatest defenders over the past 4 weeks when he’s registered 13 complete pressures, two sacks, three batted passes and 12 defensive stops.
Patriots.com’s Evan Lazar factors out that Barmore ranks third in pressures, second in pass-rush grade and third in run stops amongst all NFL inside defensive linemen over that point span.
Barmore was thought of a first-round expertise when he got here out of Alabama in 2021. The Patriots traded as much as take him within the second spherical of that draft, and he’s lastly absolutely taking part in as much as his potential.
The Patriots will need assistance this week stopping Colts operating again Jonathan Taylor, who, when wholesome, is without doubt one of the greatest rushers within the NFL. Taylor is averaging 3.48 yards after contact per try since being activated off of the PUP listing in Week 5.
CB Shaun Wade
Jackson wasn’t practising or touring this week, which implies the staff might want to dip into their reserves for cornerback assist.
Wade really began Week 9 however barely performed after getting changed by Jackson within the third defensive sequence. He’ll seemingly share snaps with Jack Jones, who like Jackson was additionally disciplined in Week 8, throughout from Jonathan Jones with Myles Bryant manning the slot.
Wade, a 2021 fifth-round choose in a brief stint with the Ravens, has been with the Patriots for 3 seasons now. He’s performed in eight video games with two begins however didn’t play on protection in Weeks 7 and eight.
The Ohio State product has performed 162 defensive snaps this season. He’s allowed 13 catches on 18 targets for 168 yards, per PFF.
The Colts’ prime vast receivers are impending free agent Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Josh Downs, who missed Week 9 with a knee damage. Neither matchup can be a simple one for Wade.
The Patriots might elect to raise one in every of their cornerbacks from the apply squad in Breon Borders or Azizi Hearn. Recently signed rookie Alex Austin is also an choice to play.
Source: www.bostonherald.com