Patriots
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye will be without New England’s top running back in his first NFL start.
The Patriots are entering their Week 6 matchup against the Houston Texans with a hefty injury report.
New England ruled Rhamondre Stevenson out with a foot injury. Stevenson, the team’s No. 1 running back, didn’t practice with the team this week after suffering the ailment versus the Miami Dolphins last week.
While speaking with reporters on Friday, head coach Jerod Mayo said Stevenson’s injury isn’t a long-term problem.
Stevenson appeared to take a helmet to his lower left leg in last week’s loss. He exited the game after grabbing at his leg and being attended to on the field by trainers, but later returned to game action.
After the game, Stevenson told reporters, “I think I’m good.”
The Patriots could also be without safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) against Houston. Dugger, who’s listed as one of 11 questionable players, didn’t practice on Wednesday, but was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday, per the team. He was inactive in last week’s Dolphins contest.
Linebacker Marte Mapu and safety Jaylinn Hawkins filled the void of Dugger and Jabrill Peppers last week, and could be asked to do the same again (Dugger questionable, Peppers on NFL exempt list).
Mapu wore the green dot in lieu of Dugger, meaning he was the one communicating plays with the rest of the defense. A tall task for a second-year player, but he stepped up to the challenge despite New England falling short of the win.
Several other defenders have been ruled questionable, including cornerback Isaiah Bolden (hamstring), LB Anfernee Jennings (shoulder), CB Marcus Jones (groin), LB Sione Takitaki (knee), and CB Marco Wilson (groin). All were limited participants in the team’s three practices this week.
Offensively, the Patriots are just as banged up. Center Nick Leverett, who’s filling in for veteran David Andrews, is questionable with an ankle injury. Guard Layden Robinson is also a 50/50 shot to play as he manages ankle and wrist issues. The last thing New England needs is more problems with its offensive line.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee), who made his season debut last week coming off of the PUP list to start the season, is also questionable to play. The Patriots appear to be easing him back into game action, given he played just 27 percent of offensive snaps last week and was a limited practice participant this week.
Veteran long snapper Joe Cardona was a late addition to the injury report. He practiced on Wednesday and Thursday, but popped up on Friday with a calf injury. New England signed LS Tucker Addington to the practice squad on Friday in case Cardona can’t play on Sunday.
WR K.J. Osborn is also questionable with a shoulder injury.
As for the Texans, WR Nico Collins was placed on injured reserve earlier this week due to a hamstring ailment. Collins, the NFL’s leading receiver (567 yards), will miss at least the next four games.
Also, RB Joe Mixon is questionable with an ankle injury.
Here’s the full Patriots injury report ahead of Sunday:
OUT
RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Foot
QUESTIONABLE
CB Isaiah Bolden, Hamstring
WR Kendrick Bourne, Knee
LS Joe Cardona, Calf
S Kyle Dugger, Ankle
LB Anfernee Jennings, Shoulder
CB Marcus Jones, Groin
C Nick Leverett, Ankle
WR K.J. Osborn, Shoulder
G Layden Robinson, Ankle / Wrist
LB Sione Takitaki, Knee
CB Marco Wilson, Groin
REMOVED FROM LIST
DT Davon Godchaux, CB Jonathan Jones, T Vederian Lowe
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