Disaster strikes on O-line
Four starters ruled out against Texans
The Patriots’ worst offensive line fears have been realized.
Left tackle Isaiah Wynn and left guard Michael Onwenu were not activated off COVID-19 reserve on Saturday, ruling them out for today’s game at Houston.
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
The Pats previously ruled out starting right tackle Trent Brown and right guard Shaq Mason on Friday. None of the four starters practiced this week. Brown has been placed on injured reserve and will be out until Week 8.
The Patriots elevated three offensive linemen from their practice squad to the active roster, one of whom will start against the Texans. James Ferentz, who was designated as a COVID19 replacement, is likely to start at left or right guard. He was elevated with veteran guard Alex Redmond and sixth-round rookie Will Sherman, who repped at guard and tackle this summer.
Redmond and Sherman received standard elevations and should revert back to the practice squad on Monday. Second-year defensive back Myles Bryant was elevated for a second straight week, this time as a COVID19 replacement.
Around starting center David Andrews, Justin Herron can be expected to start at one tackle spot opposite either third-year tackle Yodny Cajuste or Yasir Durant, who started at right tackle in Week 2. Inside, backup interior lineman Ted Karras will man a guard position opposite Ferentz or Redmond. Karras relieved Onwenu last week in the second half against Tampa Bay.
With their ragtag front five, the Patriots should face even greater issues in pass protection. Through four weeks, rookie quarterback Mac Jones ranks among the most battered starters in the league, between sacks, hits and hurries. It’s possible, albeit unlikely, the offense will remedy its stagnant running game.
The Pats ran for minusone yard rushing last weekend against the Bucs and will face the league’s second-worst run defense in the Texans.
Last Sunday, the Bills rushed for a season-best 198 yards against Houston.
Mills, Perkins out
Shortly before flying to Houston, the Patriots declared cornerback Jalen Mills and rookie outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins both out for kickoff.
Mills had been listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, after playing a key role in the defense’s strong showing last weekend against Tampa Bay. His absence may force the Pats to start backup Joejuan Williams opposite J.C. Jackson. Williams was a healthy scratch against the Bucs.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick addressed Williams sitting out last week’s game on Wednesday, saying: “I think he will play. You know, every week you’ll probably come in here and ask about somebody, ‘Why did this guy play? Why didn’t that guy play?’ You can only activate the number of players we can activate, and we activate the ones we feel would have the biggest impact on that particular game, and that’s definitely not the same every week.”
Staring nickelback Jonathan Jones could also move outside, though he’s best suited in the slot and at safety and currently dealing with an ankle injury. Jackson and Williams are the team’s only fully healthy corners, with Mills out, two hobbled and rookie Shaun Wade ruled out with a concussion on Friday.
Perkins has yet to appear in an NFL game.
CB Bethel now questionable
The Patriots downgraded cornerback Justin Bethel to questionable with a hamstring injury Saturday. Bethel is a reserve corner who makes his money on special teams. This season, he’s taken 82% of all special teams snaps compared to just 3% of the Pats’ snaps on defense.
Last week, he replaced Jones for a single defensive snap against Tampa Bay and allowed a third-down conversion.