Pats Pulpit
The trickle-down effect of starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson being out with a toe injury has led to the New England Patriots making one of their rookies active again: wide receiver Efton Chism has returned to the game day roster after a one-week absence as a healthy scratch. The assumption is that he will serve as the primary kickoff returner to take some pressure away from is now a Stevenson-less running back group.
In total, three running backs will be active on Sunday versus the Atlanta Falcons: presumed starter TreVeyon Henderson and recent 53-man roster addition Terrell Jennings — both of whom saw reps as kickoff returners in the past — as well as practice squad elevation D’Ernest Johnson.
As for Chism, he is unlikely to see significant offensive playing time given his status as New England’s No. 6 wide receiver. However, he should get a chance to build on a résumé that so far includes seven kickoff returns for 169 combined yards with a 24.1-yard average.
The Patriots’ inactives, meanwhile, looks as follows:
Besides the aforementioned Rhamondre Stevenson, the Patriots had no players listed on the injury report entering the weekend. This means that the other five inactives are all healthy scratches.
Among them are the typical suspects such as Tommy DeVito, Caedan Wallace and Eric Gregory, who are all emergency depth at their respective positions. Joining them are recent waiver claim Caleb Murphy, and safety John Saunders Jr, who was signed off the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad in the aftermath of the Kyle Dugger and Keion White trades.
Much like the Patriots’ inactives, the Falcons also include few surprises. Three of the team’s inactives — Casey Washington, Zach Harrison and Billy Bowman Jr. — were already known before Sunday.
Kickoff between the Patriots and Falcons at Gillette Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET.
