Key Highlights
- Rhamondre Stevenson is out with a toe injury against the Atlanta Falcons.
- The Patriots will rely on D’Ernest Johnson and TreVeyon Henderson in place of Stevenson.
- John Saunders Jr. remains inactive despite being signed to the 53-man roster.
- Kyle Pitts, a key tight end for the Falcons, presents a challenge for the Patriots defense.
Patriots Face Shorthanded Running Back Situation
The New England Patriots are set to face their Atlanta Falcons counterparts on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. However, Rhamondre Stevenson, the team’s leading running back, is out due to a toe injury. Stevenson was ruled inactive for this game, which will be his first missed game of the season.
Depth Chart Adjustments
To replace Stevenson, the Patriots have elevated D’Ernest Johnson from the practice squad and are expected to start him alongside TreVeyon Henderson. Johnson has seen limited action in recent weeks but was active for three consecutive games following a season-ending injury to Antonio Gibson. With this elevation, Jennings is officially on the 53-man roster.
Defense Faces Safety Depth Concerns
The Patriots will also be dealing with depth concerns at the safety position after trading Kyle Dugger to the Steelers earlier in the week. Despite not elevating any safeties from the practice squad for this game, the Patriots still have some options available.
Role of John Saunders Jr.
John Saunders Jr., a rookie signed off the Dolphins’ practice squad, has been inactive due to only practicing twice with the Patriots. The team is relying on second-year player Dell Pettus and third-year pro Marte Mapu for coverage duties. Pettus has shown promise as a physical tackler and heady short-zone defender while already being a regular on special teams.
Key Matchup: Kyle Pitts vs. New England’s Defense
Kyle Pitts, the Falcons’ Pro Bowl tight end, presents a significant challenge for the Patriots’ defense. Despite struggling to cover tight ends and running backs this season, the Patriots will need to limit Pitts if they hope to maintain their winning streak.
Offensive Strategy Against Atlanta
The Patriots may find success on the ground against Atlanta’s top-ranked pass defense but 24th in expected points added vs. the run (-0.02). With quarterback Drake Maye building an MVP resume, the Patriots will look to complement their run game with effective passing plays.
Game Details and Expectations
The game is set for kickoff at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots aim to extend their winning streak to six games, which would be their longest since 2021. Winning this match will require a strong defensive performance against Kyle Pitts and careful execution in the run game.
