The New England Patriots are set to clash with the Houston Texans in a vital divisional round playoff game on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. Ahead of this showdown, the Patriots made strategic roster adjustments, activating cornerback Alex Austin and elevating two players from the practice squad.
Roster Adjustments Before Texans Showdown
On Saturday, the Patriots activated CB Alex Austin from injured reserve. Austin has been sidelined since a wrist injury he sustained in Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He had primarily contributed to special teams, participating in 39.1% of those snaps this season. This move provides the Patriots with added depth at cornerback.
The team also elevated running back D’Ernest Johnson and defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III from the practice squad. Johnson’s elevation comes after he was previously released from the 53-man roster. He is expected to play a key role primarily on special teams. Taylor, for his part, has been instrumental in the interior defensive line, logging 22 snaps during the Wild Card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Defensive Strategy Against Texans
The Texans’ rushing attack has gained momentum recently, particularly with rookie RB Woody Marks leading the charge. In their Wild Card matchup, Houston amassed 164 rushing yards, with Marks contributing 112 yards on 19 carries. The Patriots will need to bolster their defensive line to counter Houston’s game plan, which often emphasizes downhill runs and double-team blocks.
The activation of Austin and Taylor indicates that the Patriots are focused on enhancing their defensive capabilities as they prepare to face a formidable Texans offense. Additionally, New England is optimistic about the potential return of nose tackle Khyiris Tonga, who has been absent due to a foot injury.
Injury Updates and Player Availability
Despite the anticipated roles of Austin, Johnson, and Taylor, the Patriots did not activate running back Terrell Jennings, who remains on injured reserve due to a concussion. Jennings showed promise during practice this week but will not be available for the game. Meanwhile, veteran players like RB Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson are expected to shoulder most of the running back responsibilities.
The Patriots have assembled a balanced lineup for this match, with enough depth to manage injury uncertainties. They will declare seven players inactive before the game, reducing their roster to the league-required 48 players.
The matchup against the Texans promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams bringing their best to Gillette Stadium this Sunday afternoon.
