New England Patriots
New England’s defensive depth will be heavily tested in its first divisional game of the season.
In need of a bounce-back game after last week’s disaster at Jacksonville, the New England Patriots will need a full team effort with two key players out against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.
No Christian Gonzalez, Christian Barmore …
Both cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive tackle Christian Barmore were ruled out due to shoulder injuries on Friday ahead of the team’s first divisional matchup of the season. Neither player was able to participate in practice this week, leaving the Patriots without two of their best bodies versus an undefeated Bills squad on the road.
Gonzalez seemingly got hurt against the Jaguars after completing a tackle. He finished out the game, but in hindsight, perhaps it wasn’t the best idea given his current status.
Head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged it’s a less-than-ideal situation to be down two of New England’s top guys versus a team like Buffalo.
“That is just what the situation is. There’s nothing we can do about it,” he told reporters on Friday.
Vrabel added that he looks forward to seeing the rest of the defense step up in Gonzalez’s and Barmore’s absence in what feels like a must-win game for the 1-2 Patriots.
“We can make sure that the guys that are playing are ready and that we continue to do the things that we know are going to help us,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the guys that are going to play in there.”
At CB, Carlton Davis, Charles Woods, and rookie Karon Prunty will have to perform at their best in lieu of Gonzalez, which is no easy task.
Replacing Barmore is nearly impossible, too. Leonard Taylor, Daquan Jones, and Joshua Farmer are the next men up at the position alongside starter Milton Williams and nose tackle Cory Durden.
7 total players questionable
There’s a chance even more players could join Gonzalez and Barmore on the sideline before kickoff, including four other defenders.
CB Channing Canada (hamstring), linebackers Christian Elliss (chest) and Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder), and safety Craig Woodson (shoulder) were all listed as questionable. Being without any or all of them would deal another big blow to New England’s ailing defensive unit.
Jones, who missed Week 3, said his recovery has gone better than expected. He was a limited practice participant all week, a semi-promising sign for his Sunday availability.
Elliss has been one of the Patriots’ best on defense for some time now. Woodson is a key starter in the secondary, and Canada provides depth at CB. All three were limited in practice, but their questionable status is concerning amidst the whole injury mess.
Three offensive players found themselves questionable, as well. Fullback Reggie Gilliam (knee), tackle Morgan Moses (foot), and tight end Eli Raridon (thigh) could miss Week 4.
Moses returned to practice on Friday after being absent the two days prior. Both Gilliam and Raridon were present on Friday, too.
Raridon is also dealing with the recent death of his newborn son, his wife Anna shared on social media earlier this week.
Drake Maye’s status
Quarterback Drake Maye’s shoulder injury caused a bit of a stir this week, though he was listed as a full practice participant all three days.
He was evasive about the ailment following last week’s loss and his dismal performance, but he ultimately landed on the injury report this week. Both Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said Maye sustained the injury to his throwing shoulder during the game at Jacksonville.
Vrabel was asked to clarify Maye’s injury situation on Friday; the coach had said on Monday that he wasn’t aware of any physical issues with his QB.
“No, I don’t think I can help clarify it,” Vrabel said. “I’ve explained it — we’re just trying to follow the protocol exactly how it’s given to us as it relates to the injury report and the way that we report it. The fact that it’s a quarterback, I think that those things get looked at very closely.”
Despite Maye’s repeated on-field struggles — which range from turnovers to throwing accuracy — his shoulder problem doesn’t seem to be the root of his performance issues.
Vrabel highlighted NFL protocol as the reason why Maye is on the injury report this week despite being a full practice participant and without a status designation entering the weekend.
“So again, we want to make sure that we’re transparent. So, we listed him on the injury report after he went through the normal game day protocol, post game. Then we put on the reps that he missed — which was none.
“There were no limitations, so he practiced full – he didn’t miss any reps. But we just felt like it was best to list it just to make sure that we are doing everything that we’re supposed to do from a protocol standpoint.”
Who will start at right guard?
After losing Mike Onwenu in Week 2 and his replacement Greg Van Roten in Week 3, New England has its latest plan for right guard in Week 4.
Vrabel said he “would probably anticipate” Ben Brown getting the nod, but said Walter Rouse Jr. “will have to be ready to go,” too.
Rouse filled in for Van Roten after he sustained a thigh injury versus the Jaguars, which landed him on injured reserve. Rouse, a third-year offensive lineman, played 41 snaps on Sunday (per ESPN’s Mike Reiss).
Brown played 15 total snaps last week, but he can expect to have a much larger role at Buffalo.
Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.