Next man up? Simple, Simon
DE/LB may boost front seven
FOXBORO — After the Patriots sent Ja’Whaun Bentley to injured reserve, they filled his roster spot by bringing in free agent John Simon.
Simon, formerly of the Texans and Colts, isn’t necessarily a replacement for Bentley, who emerged as one of the team’s best offthe-ball linebackers.
A hybrid defensive end/ outside linebacker, Simon is best suited to rush the passer and set the edge. And those are two pressing needs for a Patriots’ front seven that has been destroyed in all areas these past few weeks.
Simon arrives with 13 career sacks and some familiarity with the New England defense. His career took off during a stint with Houston from 2014-16, playing under Romeo Crennel and Mike Vrabel.
Speaking yesterday at his locker, Simon noted the Patriots defense is “similar to some of the things I’ve done in the past with the 3-4 scheme in Houston.”
It’s still an adjustment, though.
“There’s definitely new terminology and everyone tweaks their defense to a certain way,” Simon said. “A lot of studying for me, and hopefully I’ll be ready.”
Even though he amassed 2.5 sacks in the preseason, the 27-year-old Simon was still released by Indianapolis earlier this month.
“That’s the business,” Simon said. “That wasn’t my decision to make. That was the Colts’ decision. It sucked for me, but it put me in this opportunity and I’m trying to make the most of it.”
Rowe sits out
Cornerback Eric Rowe was one of three defensive starters missing from the lineup in the stunning Week 3 loss to the Lions, and he was the only player absent from yesterday’s practice.
Rowe, who is dealing with a groin injury, had practiced on Wednesday in a limited fashion.
Defensive end Trey Flowers and strong safety Patrick Chung were limited for the second straight day. Both players missed Sunday’s game due to concussions.
Defensive tackle Danny Shelton, who has been limited with an elbow injury, sported a bulky brace on his right arm.
Wide receiver Josh Gordon was on the practice field for the fifth consecutive day. Gordon was limited with a hamstring injury.
Others who practiced in limited fashion: tight ends
Rob Gronkowski (ankle) and Jacob Hollister (chest), offensive tackle Marcus Cannon (calf), safety Nate Ebner (hip), defensive end
Geneo Grissom (ankle), cornerback Keion Crossen (hamstring) and linebacker
Brandon King (foot).
For Miami, running back
Frank Gore (not injury related), tight end A.J. Derby (foot), defensive end Andre Branch (knee) and linebacker Chase Allen (foot) did not practice.
Review complete
The NFL and the Players Association completed a joint review of the application of concussion protocol regarding Chung’s injury in Week 2 vs. the Jaguars.
The review concluded that concussion protocol was not violated, the league announced in a joint statement with the union.
Chung exited the game early in the second quarter when an official sent him to the sideline, but returned one play later and finished out the half. He didn’t come out for the second half and was ruled out with a concussion.
According to the review, booth spotters and sideline medical staff initially concluded that protocol did not need to be initiated. However, the Patriots’ coaching staff “observed behavior that warranted a sideline review and the protocol was triggered,” according to the statement.
Chung was cleared at first, but showed concussion symptoms when reevaluated during halftime.
After missing the Week 3 loss to the Lions, Chung has been a limited practice participant this week.
Reid, react
Players across the NFL were glad to see free agent Eric Reid ink a deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Reid, a former 49ers safety, regularly took a knee alongside teammate Colin Kaepernick for the national anthem as a way to protest social and racial injustices.
Reid’s contract with the 49ers expired at the end of the 2017 season, and he remained unsigned until yesterday.
“I think that’s great for him,” said Patriots safety Devin McCourty. “He’s a great player, a guy that I think we’ve all watched over the last couple years go out there and make plays. A starter since Day 1 in this league so I thought that was great just because of what he stands for and what he’s done to not kind of be blackballed from the league and see him out there playing.” Is Kaepernick next? “I hope so,” McCourty said. “But I don’t know. I hope so though. I think he’s a good player. He’s led a team, played in a Super Bowl. He’s done a lot of good things in this league so hopefully he gets signed.”