The Patriots’ safety room took a hit Sunday, and now the depth chart is going to get a real workout.
During New England’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Craig Woodson and Dell Pettus both went down with injuries, leaving the team thinner at a position that suddenly looks a lot more fragile. Woodson’s shoulder issue came late in the third quarter, when he lowered his left side to help tackle Steelers running back Rico Dowdle with 9:54 left.
The collision left his left arm dangling, and though he stayed in for the next third-down snap to finish the series, he then headed to the blue medical tent and eventually the locker room. He was ruled out and later was seen with a sling in the postgame locker room.
Pettus’ injury came earlier, on a second-quarter punt, and it only added to the Patriots’ concern at safety.
With the Jaguars next on the schedule, head coach Mike Vrabel said the team may need help from the practice squad to get through the week.
“We have guys on the practice squad. I think some of the veteran practice squad guys are going to factor in this week,” Vrabel said.
“I know that Mike Brown has been with us since the spring, and I think that’s the balance that you weigh with the practice squad. We’ve talked about that.
You have some young guys that you’re looking to develop, some veteran guys that have played in games that are preparing as a starter and that’ll be ready to go.
“So as the week unfolds, we’ll have to make sure that everybody’s ready to go. If guys can’t end up making it, then however we sign guys or elevate guys.”
Brown stands out as one of the most seasoned options on the practice squad. He joined New England this offseason and has 38 career games on his résumé, including nine games at safety for Vrabel’s Titans in 2023.
The Patriots’ developmental group also includes second-year safety Elliott Davison, who came aboard after training camp.
Sunday’s injuries also pushed Jaylen Reed into a bigger workload. Acquired in a trade for Kayshon Boutte in August, Reed didn’t log a defensive snap in the opener, but he was on the field for 28 snaps, or 40%, against Pittsburgh after Woodson and Pettus exited.
“I think Jaylen has done a nice job. He’s worked hard,” Vrabel said.
“He got put in there - again, we have to be ready to go. He had some plays that were good.
He’s helped us in the kicking game. He would go in there at PP [punt protector], that’s not an easy thing to do, so I’m glad that he was prepared and ready to go.”
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