The New England Patriots made a fuss over the roster moves on Saturday ahead of Sunday night’s match against the Baltimore Ravens.
Patriots:
– Linebacker Shilick Calhaun put out on injured reserve.
– Active aggressive coping off Jermaine Alumnier IR.
– Advanced liners from the practice team inside Terrace Hall and Kush Maluiya.
– Forgive defensive hull Nick Thurman.
– Added tight end Jordan Thomas to the 53-man roster.
– Signed fullback Paul Xzenberry in practice team.
Calhoun has played a leading role in New England’s pass-rush packages this season and has also played a 42.8 per cent share in the Patriots’ special teams. In his absence there should also be additional opportunities for second round draft pick Josh Uche.
The Alumnier played well as a surprise starter for the Patriots who handled it well earlier this season. It is unclear whether he will reclaim the spot after seeing how well disqualified Mike Onvenu has performed in his absence.
This is the second consecutive elevation of the hall. He started and played in his NFL debut last week, recording six tackles in a 30-27 win over the New York Jets. Maluia was cut off from the 53-man roster just this week. He appeared in New England’s seven of eight games but has yet to play a defensive snap at NFL level.
The addition of Hall and Maluia cast doubt on starting linebacker Ja’haun Bentley’s position for Sunday. Bentley missed last week’s game with a groin injury and is one of 17 patriots listed as questionable.
Baltimore is one of the league’s top running back offenses, ranking first in yards per game and third in yards per carry this season.
The Patriots recently added depth to the D-line in the form of Carl Davis, who performed against the Jets, and Isaiah Mack, who could do so on Sunday, makes Thurman cost-effective.
With Thomas, who the Patriots claimed to have pardoned from the Arizona Cardinals earlier this week, now officially on the roster, he will be eligible to play Sunday. New England will wait until next week to use Thomas, however, to practice with his new team.
Sonny Mitchell running back was not activated from the injured reserve. The Patriots have until Thursday, November 26, to activate Mitchell, which is Nov. 5. Returned to practice.
Becking coach Evan Fears said on Friday that Mitchell’s quad injury and attitude on the reserve / COVID-19 list “really put him behind.”
“We’ve got it back in shape,” says Fear. “We have to get it back in shape and get it going again. And he’s doing a great job. I mean it looks really beautiful in practice. It really is. ”
The decision not to activate Mitchell could be read as a good sign for lead back Damien Harris, who is listed as a suspect with chest and ankle injuries but said he is ready to play.
The kick-off on Sunday is set for 8:20 a.m. ET at Gillette Stadium.
Thumbnail photo by Brian Fluherty / USA Today Sports Images
