Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots had three players listed as questionable heading into their wild card playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers, among them starting wide receiver Kayshon Boutte and sack leader Harold Landry. Both have received the green light for the Sunday night contest.
Neither Boutte nor Landry are listed among the seven inactives the Patriots announced for their first playoff game since January 2022. The former was nursing a hamstring injury entering the contest, the latter a knee issue.
Boutte has been one of the Patriots’ most productive pass catchers this season. Playing 55.5% of offensive snaps over five games, he entered the postseason ranked fifth on the team in receptions (33), third in receiving yards (551) and yards per catch (16.7) and second in touchdown catches (6).
Landry, meanwhile, was voted a team captain in his first season with the team. The free agency pickup registered a team-leading 8.5 sacks over the course of 15 regular season contests and also forced a fumble. He played 66.4% of defensive snaps during the regular season.
The Patriots’ inactives, meanwhile, looks as follows.
Besides Kayshon Boutte and Harold Landry, New England also gave backup offensive tackle/jumbo tight end Thayer Munford Jr. the questionable tag. He too has been deemed good go against the Chargers, even though it remains to be seen whether or not he will be hampered by his knee ailment.
The Patriots also entered the weekend with two players already ruled out. Defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga would miss a third straight game because of a foot injury, while cornerback Alex Austin would not be activated off injured reserve yet due to the wrist issue that landed him there in the first place.
The rest of the Patriots’ inactives are all healthy scratches, including practice squad elevation Jeremiah Webb. The rookie was brought up as depth in case Boutte would not be deemed ready, but now finds himself off the game day team.
Besides ruling out two players — wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who has since been placed on IR, and defensive back Kendall Williamson — L.A. had six questionable for Sunday night. Of those, four have been cleared to play against New England, including starting running back Omarion Hampton (ankle).
Kickoff between the Patriots and Chargers at Gillette Stadium is set for 8 p.m. ET.
