Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots will have to take on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday without one of their starting safeties. Jaylinn Hawkins was ruled out for the contest because of a hamstring injury, meaning that the team will carry only four players at the position on its game day roster.
Besides fellow starter Craig Woodson, New England also has Kyle Dugger, Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler round out the group. The question now becomes how they will employed against New Orleans, and whether or not former starter Dugger is finally about to see an increased role.
Following his demotion in training camp, the veteran did see action in all five games so far. However, he has been on the field for only 75 snaps, a playing time share of just 24.1%.
“I think they’re prepared. I think they’re ready to go,” said head coach Mike Vrabel about New England’s safeties on Friday. “They’ve all been practicing, preparing and feel good about any of those guys. From Dell playing or School playing, those guys are working hard. We’ve got some guys that have improved through the show team.”
The Patriots’ full game day roster for Sunday’s game looks as follows:
Quarterback (3): Drake Maye (10), Joshua Dobbs (11), Tommy DeVito (16)
Running back (4): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), TreVeyon Henderson (32 | KR), RB Terrell Jennings (26 | PS elevation), Jack Westover (37 | FB/TE)
Wide receiver (6): Kayshon Boutte (9), Stefon Diggs (8), Mack Hollins (13), DeMario Douglas (3), Kyle Williams (18), Efton Chism III (86 | KR)
Tight end (2): Hunter Henry (85), Austin Hooper (81)
Offensive tackle (4): Will Campbell (66 | LT), Morgan Moses (76 | RT), Marcus Bryant (52), Vederian Lowe (59)
Interior offensive line (5): Jared Wilson (58 | LG), Garrett Bradbury (65 | C), Mike Onwenu (71 | RG), Ben Brown (77), Caedan Wallace (70)
Interior defensive line (6): Christian Barmore (90), Milton Williams (97), Khyiris Tonga (95), Joshua Farmer (92), Cory Durden (94), Eric Gregory (55)
Defensive edge (4): Harold Landry III (2), K’Lavon Chaisson (44), Elijah Ponder (91), Truman Jones (54 | PS elevation)
Linebacker (5): Robert Spillane (14), Jahlani Tavai (48), Christian Elliss (53), Jack Gibbens (51), Marte Mapu (15)
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez (0), Carlton Davis III (7), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Alex Austin (28), Charles Woods (22)
Safety (4): Craig Woodson (31), Kyle Dugger (23), Dell Pettus (24), Brenden Schooler (41)
Specialists (3): Andy Borregales (36 | K), Bryce Baringer (17 | P/H), Julian Ashby (47 | LS)
For the first time this season, the Patriots have decided not to make undrafted rookie wide receiver Efton Chism a healthy scratch. With Antonio Gibson missing the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL, the team decided to give the undrafted rookie a shot as a potential option as a kickoff returner.
Elsewhere, New England will be rather thin on the defensive edge. While starters Harold Landry and K’Lavon...
