The Patriots’ cornerback room took a major hit this week, but at least one key piece is available for Sunday.
Charles Woods, who was listed as questionable after suffering a shoulder injury in last week’s win over the Buffalo Bills, is active for New England’s Week 5 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. That gives the Patriots a healthier look at corner than they were headed for after Friday’s injury report, when four of the six corners on the active roster had already been ruled out.
Woods will join Marcus Jones and recent roster addition Kindle Vildor in the secondary, while New England is still down Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis, along with rookie corners Channing Canada and Karon Prunty. Gonzalez is out with a shoulder injury, Davis with a neck issue, and both Canada and Prunty are sidelined by hamstring injuries.
The Patriots’ full inactive list also includes QB3 Behren Morton and OT Dametrious Crownover. Their presence there was expected, with both functioning as emergency options at this stage.
New England had also ruled out fullback Reggie Gilliam and wide receiver Mack Hollins on Friday, but neither will appear on the inactive list because both have since been moved to injured reserve. Gilliam is dealing with ankle and knee injuries, while Hollins is out with a calf injury.
Here’s the Patriots’ inactive group for Sunday:
- QB3 Behren Morton
- OT Dametrious Crownover
- CB Christian Gonzalez
- CB Carlton Davis III
- CB Channing Canada
- CB Karon Prunty
The Raiders’ inactive list brings its own significant absence, with starting receiver Jalen Nailor unavailable after being ruled out Friday because of a concussion. Las Vegas does, however, have running back Ashton Jeanty back in the mix after he was listed as questionable with ankle and foot injuries.
In Other News...
Patriots Offense Just Put More Pressure On Drake Maye
The Patriots offense took another hit heading into a pivotal stretch, with New England adjusting its lineup as it prepares for a Week 5 meeting with the Raiders. Sitting at 2-2, the team is trying to stabilize a unit that has already been forced to adapt early in the season, and the timing matters with another game against the Bears coming up on Oct. 22.
Reggie Gilliam and Mack Hollins are both out of the picture for now, which narrows the options around Drake Maye and puts more on his plate in a matchup where the offense could use a clean, organized showing. For a Patriots team still searching for rhythm, the next couple of weeks will say plenty about how well it can absorb roster changes without losing ground. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots May Need An Unlikely Answer To A Growing Offensive Concern
Mack Hollins has become a growing concern for the Patriots this week after missing consecutive practices with a calf injury, putting his status for Sunday against the Raiders in doubt. With A.J. Brown still on injured reserve, New Englands margin for error at receiver is getting thinner, and the team may need to lean harder on whatever options are available to keep the passing game functional.
One of those options could be Eli Raridon, who took a season-high 44 snaps last week and has been productive in limited chances. He is healthy for the upcoming game after working through a thigh issue earlier, and he even lined up wide on five of his 23 pass snaps against Buffalo, a hint that the Patriots could ask him to stretch beyond his usual role if Hollins is unavailable. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Just Reached A Stretch That Could Define Their Playoff Push
New England has already come through a brutal checkpoint in its season, surviving the toughest four-game stretch any NFL team has seen since 1986 and emerging with a 2-2 record against quality competition. For a Patriots team trying to stay in the playoff conversation, simply holding its ground through that kind of run matters, especially when the schedule has already asked so much of the roster so early.
There is still plenty left to sort out, though, and the rest of the path is not as daunting on paper as what just passed. ESPNs football power index has the Patriots facing one of the more manageable remaining slates in the league, but the calendar still includes a mix of playoff-caliber opponents and softer spots, the kind of stretch that can either build momentum or leave the season stuck in neutral. [Read more 🡒]