FOXBORO - The Patriots’ 2026 home opener comes with a familiar kind of pressure: a chance to end a five-year skid in home openers, and a matchup that already has a few key names missing on both sides.
New England and Pittsburgh each had important players listed among Sunday’s inactives, with the Patriots especially thin at cornerback. Carlton Davis is out, and that absence could ripple through the entire defense. Davis was already announced as unavailable before Sunday, and his first missed game since signing with New England last offseason leaves the Patriots looking for answers on the perimeter.
The Patriots will turn to backup Charles Woods to take on a larger role. Woods, who normally spends most of his time on special teams, is now expected to handle more of the outside duties Davis leaves behind. That could put him in position to see rookie Germie Bernard, who is set for more snaps after Pittman’s injury.
Woods may be familiar to the Patriots, but this is a different kind of assignment. He’s likely to be tested often, especially with Aaron Rodgers on the other side.
"He plays outside, plays inside, works hard in the kicking game," Mike Vrabel said Friday. "So, I think he just continues to improve, is ready to go.
He prepares as a starter. I think he has a great energy.
I like being around Woodsy. He's got a good demeanor to him, and I know that if he has to go in there, he'll be ready to go."
Pittsburgh is dealing with its own blow in the secondary. Porter is out, which means more work for Asante Samuel Jr, Jalen Ramsey and Jamel Dean.
The Steelers won’t have to deal with A.J. Brown, but the Patriots should still have chances to challenge that group with Drake Maye throwing to Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams in expanded roles.
There was good news for both teams in the questionable column. New England edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones, who was dealing with a foot issue, is active.
So is Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, also listed with a foot injury. That matchup could be one to watch on the left side of the line.
The Patriots will also get TreVeyon Henderson back on the field. The second-year running back, who missed last week with a rolled ankle, is active and will make his season debut after being a full participant in practice this week. He’ll join Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner in the backfield.
Henderson said the time away mattered to him.
"I'm thankful. It just continued to draw me closer to the Lord, and I'm thankful for the time, thankful for the growth," Henderson said in front of his locker this week. "I wanted to be out there [last week] pretty bad, it was a good matchup, good game, I think we competed really hard."
New England also gets interior line depth back with Ben Brown, who has not played since the Patriots’ preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 13. Brown was limited in practice and came into the day listed as questionable, but he’ll be active and back in the mix with Greg Van Roten and Caleb Lomu as backups up front.
On New England’s inactive list, Arkin, Rouse and Taylor are healthy scratches. Efton Chism III, Erick Hunter and Karon Prunty - all inactive last week against the Seattle Seahawks - are active for their season debuts, with special teams roles likely.
Morton is active only if Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito are both unavailable under center. Veteran defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, who signed last weekend, is also set to make his season debut.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST at Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots will play in front of what should be a strong crowd for the 2026 home opener.
Super Bowl LIII champion and 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore is in town as this week’s Keeper of the Light and will take part in the pregame festivities. This is also the fifth straight season a Rodgers team has faced the Patriots, who have not won the matchup since Week 8 in 2024.
In Other News...
Patriots Catch A Break As Steelers Passing Attack Suddenly Changes
Michael Pittman Jr. being ruled out for the Steelers matchup with the Patriots changes the shape of this game before it even kicks off. Pittman had led Pittsburgh in receiving yards in Week 1, so his absence trims a key part of the passing game and shifts more of the burden onto the rest of the receiving group.
For New England, the adjustment matters because it alters where the danger may come from, with DK Metcalf now carrying even more of the spotlight. The Steelers will still have options in Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard and Pat Freiermuth, but the Patriots can prepare knowing one of Pittsburghs most productive early-season targets wont be on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Perfection Buzz Puts Patriots In A Spot Fans Will Hate
Buffalos hot start has already turned the AFC East into familiar territory for Patriots fans, only this time the conversation is about something much bigger than a division race. The Bills are 2-0, Josh Allen is rolling early and some analysts are looking at the schedule and wondering whether this team has a path to a perfect 17-0 season, a mark no NFL club has ever reached.
For New England, the buzz is less about admiration than the uncomfortable possibility of watching a longtime rival chase history while the Patriots are left to react. There are still tests ahead for Buffalo, and the defense has already given up 31 points in each of the first two games, but the idea alone is enough to make the rest of the AFC East pay close attention. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Suddenly Face A Dangerous Problem In Steelers Matchup
Carlton Davis being ruled out for the Patriots home opener changes the tone of a matchup that already had some bite to it. A neck injury will keep the veteran corner from taking the field against the Steelers, leaving New England to sort through a secondary that now leans more heavily on less experienced options. The absence is especially notable because no practice squad elevations were made after the status change, so the Patriots will have to work with what they already have on hand.
It is a sudden complication for a defense that was counting on Davis to help steady things on the back end, even as the Steelers arrive with a key wide receiver also out. The Patriots still get the benefit of playing at home, but the missing corner creates an immediate stress test for a group that will have to hold up against a physical opponent without one of its more established pieces. [Read more 🡒]