FOXBORO — If the Patriots’ offensive conservatism on the finish of final week’s loss to the Chiefs left you feeling irritable, then it’s greatest to skip this week’s recreation towards the Broncos lest it smash your vacation.
Head coach Bill Belichick stated Sunday that accidents had been partially accountable for the Patriots’ lack of tempo late within the recreation after they trailed by 10 factors with 4 minutes left within the recreation and backed as much as their very own 1-yard line.
By that point, left guard Cole Strange and tight finish Hunter Henry had left with accidents, and left sort out Conor McDermott – filling in for Trent Brown – was out with a concussion.
Based on early returns in follow, it appears probably the Patriots can be going into Denver with out these three gamers.
Strange has already been positioned on injured reserve. McDermott has but to follow whereas in concussion protocol. Henry was merely a bystander throughout Thursday’s follow after lacking Wednesday’s session. And security Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) and operating again Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) have missed the primary two days of follow.
To add insult to damage, linebacker Anfernee Jennings and security/particular teamer Cody Davis additionally didn’t follow Thursday resulting from diseases.
The Patriots have already needed to discover fill-ins for outdoor linebacker Matthew Judon, huge receiver Kendrick Bourne, defensive sort out Daniel Ekuale, and cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez, J.C. Jackson and Marcus Jones this season.
But now who’re the newest Patriots who must step up this week towards the Broncos?
At left guard, anticipate to see rookie Atonio Mafi, who started the season beginning instead of Strange however was ultimately handed on the depth chart by fellow rookie Sidy Sow, who has been at proper guard since Mike Onwenu moved over to proper sort out.
Mafi has performed 356 offensive snaps this season and ranks 77th out of 85 certified guards in general PFF grade. He’s let up 4 sacks and 22 complete pressures this season.
Brown has been out and in of the lineup this season and can be first in line to switch McDermott if he’s wholesome sufficient to go. He has been practising. If Brown can’t play, then left sort out duties would probably be handed right down to Vederian Lowe except the Patriots activate Tyrone Wheatley Jr. off of injured reserve to start out.
Lowe has performed 336 snaps and began this season at left sort out and proper sort out after being acquired by way of commerce from the Vikings this offseason. He ranks final amongst 90 certified tackles in PFF grade and has let up 4 sacks and 28 complete pressures.
Wheatley has but to play on offense for the Patriots since being acquired on the finish of the summer season in a commerce with the Browns for operating again Pierre Strong. Given Lowe’s struggles, it may be value seeing what Wheatley may do to assist shield beginning quarterback Bailey Zappe.
The Patriots have appreciated to decorate Henry, Pharaoh Brown and Mike Gesicki at tight finish this season. So, if Henry can’t play, not solely would Pharaoh Brown and Gesicki tackle larger roles, Matt Sokol may very well be elevated from the follow squad, as properly.
Sokol, 28, went undrafted out of Michigan State in 2019. He’s frolicked with the Chargers, Jaguars and Lions and performed three video games with the Patriots in 2022. He additionally performed two video games with the Chargers in 2020 however has but to catch and NFL cross in an everyday season recreation.
We know Ezekiel Elliott, Kevin Harris and JaMycal Hasty will fill in for Stevenson at operating again and that Shaun Wade and Alex Austin can be obtainable at cornerback with J.C. Jackson on the non-football sickness listing, however the Patriots have a couple of choices to fill in if Peppers can’t play.
Peppers and Kyle Dugger have been almost every-down starters within the Patriots’ protection with Jalen Mills (314 snap), rookie Marte Mapu (171 snaps) and Adrian Phillips (137 snaps) all taking up extra restricted roles this season.
Mapu registered his first profession interception in Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs and is an intriguing choice for a few of Peppers’ field snaps. The rookie has appeared extra comfy nearer to the road of scrimmage than at free security this season.
Mills and Phillips have been underutilized however have extra expertise again deep at free security.
The Patriots went into the 2023 season with spectacular depth at security, and it hasn’t been examined but. If Peppers misses Sunday’s contest, it appears most beneficial for the long run to present Mapu prolonged time.
Source: www.bostonherald.com