Harris, Judon to play
Brown, Uche, Phillips 50-50
FOXBORO — Patriots running back Damien Harris and outside linebacker Matt Judon are expected to play against the Saints after being removed from the team’s injury report Friday, when three players were listed as questionable.
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
Harris battled a finger injury this week, while Judon missed one practice with a hurt knee. Both starred in the Pats’ first win last week at the Jets.
Offensive tackle Trent Brown, linebacker Josh Uche and safety Adrian Phillips are considered 50-50 to play on Sunday. Uche was a new addition to the injury report with a bad back, while Phillips missed his second straight practice for non-injury reasons. Brown was limited all week by the same hurt calf that knocked him out of the season opener and the Jets game.
If Brown can’t play, backup offensive tackles Justin Herron and Yasir Durant are again expected to replace him. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who also missed the Pats’ 25-6 blowout of New York, has been cleared to play, now past the throat injury that sidelined him last week.
For New Orleans, star corner Marshon Lattimore and rookie defensive end Payton Turner are expected to play after being limited in practice. Both players were removed from the injury report Friday. Center Erik McCoy was ruled out with a calf injury.
McDaniels impresses new playmakers
Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor claims all it took for him to sign in free agency was a phone call.
“I think to have the greatest coach of all time, Bill Belichick, call you and tell you he wants you to be a part of something special,” Agholor said Thursday, “that was enough.”
Since then, Agholor has caught eight passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. He’s worked closest with wide receivers coach Mick Lombardi and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Had he known in March what he knows now, a call from McDaniels might’ve done the trick as much as one from Belichick.
“I’ve seen the way that they attack defenses, so I’m super happy just to work with (McDaniels) because I think I learn more as a player,” Agholor said. “Not even from just a performing standpoint, I think as just a player that’s a fan of the game of football, I learn a lot more by seeing how he sees things.”
Agholor then elaborated, saying McDaniels understands all aspects of defense. McDaniels is the fifth offensive coordinator Agholor has played under, after he starting his career in Philadelphia and playing last season for the Raiders. During that time, the veteran wideout was also coached by Super Bowl-winning head coaches Jon Gruden and Doug Pederson.
Agholor said he wouldn’t compare McDaniels to any of his old coaches, but repeated his appreciation for the Pats’ longtime offensive leader.
“He’s super intelligent,” Agholor said. “He puts guys in a position to be successful. And he also understands not only protection, a blitz, coverages, he looks at the whole thing. He, as an O.C., can understand how the defenses are attacking you at all three levels. So I definitely — being here and watching him, that’s something I have a lot of respect for.”
Pats tight end Hunter Henry, who also signed in free agency, agreed with Agholor’s assessment Thursday, saying he looks forward to seeing what McDaniels draws up each morning before practice.
“He’s really, really smart,” Henry said. “It’s fun to be coached by a guy like that.”
Edelman shares advice for Jones
Former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman will be honored at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Saints.
Edelman announced his retirement with a video announcement last April, two weeks before the Pats drafted quarterback Mac Jones in the first round. Since then, Edelman’s liked what he’s seen from Jones, calling him “a stud” during a video conference Thursday with reporters. If he can steal a minute with the rookie on Sunday, here’s what Edelman would say.
“The advice I would give him is just worry about what you’ve got on your plate right now and really put on the blinders,” Edelman said. “And I know it’s harder for this generation, younger guys — and it started with my generation — to kind of not read the clippings and all of that. But they’re in an environment where it’ll help. They’ll keep him busy. And he, just from the jump, looks like a poised, calm, cool, collect kid, where regardless of what he turns into, at this point right now, he looks like he’s doing all right.”
Edelman continued by saying he’s never been overly proactive with teammates, instructing them on what to do, how or when. His advice is often simpler.
“I’m more of the guy like, ‘Hey, just literally do everything they ask you to do and put in a little more time and just see where it takes you.’ Because if you’re a baller, you’re going to make plays,” he said. “These guys have all played at a very high level for a long time, and that’s just how it goes.
“There’s going to be a next generation. Take pride and try to be that next generation. Because it’s an unbelievable thing to go out in the Northeast — Boston, New England — and play for the history of these fans and this area. It’s a fun town to win in, and you want other people to experience that.”