Patriots Activate CB Alex Austin, Elevate Two for Sunday’s Texans Matchup
The New England Patriots are finalizing their preparations for a playoff matchup against the Houston Texans. This divisional round game is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium. Before this important contest, the Patriots made several roster adjustments.
Roster Updates Before Texans Matchup
On Saturday, the Patriots activated cornerback Alex Austin from injured reserve. Additionally, they elevated running back D’Ernest Johnson and defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III from the practice squad. Austin has not participated in a game since injuring his wrist in Week 12.
Impact of Alex Austin
Before his injury, Austin primarily contributed to special teams. He played around 39.1% of special teams snaps this season. The third-year player was an essential part of four special teams units. However, his defensive role was limited, serving as the fifth cornerback behind Pro Bowl selections Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III.
Gonzalez had been in the concussion protocol but has been cleared and is not on the injury report. Activating Austin adds quality depth to the roster, reflecting the Patriots’ focus on special teams rather than concerns over Gonzalez’s health.
Defensive Line Adjustments
Leonard Taylor III is being elevated for the fifth time in the postseason. Taylor has been a rotational player on the interior defensive line and logged 22 snaps in the Wild Card win against the Chargers. He has performed effectively, contributing to important stops against opponents.
The Patriots are also anticipating the return of nose tackle Khyiris Tonga, who is recovering from a foot injury. Tonga is not listed with an injury designation this week.
Challenges Against the Texans
The Texans’ rushing attack has gained momentum recently, with rookie running back Woody Marks leading the charge. In their Wild Card game against the Steelers, Houston amassed 164 rushing yards, with Marks contributing 112 yards on 19 carries. Their strategy relies heavily on downhill runs, necessitating robust performance from the defensive line.
Elevations and Expectations
D’Ernest Johnson’s elevation to the active roster likely means he will serve in a similar capacity as in previous weeks. He was released from the 53-man roster but secured a return to the practice squad, allowing for unlimited playoff elevations. While he did not log offensive snaps in earlier games, he has played a role in kickoff returns.
The Patriots opted not to activate running back Terrell Jennings, who remains on injured reserve. Jennings was on the injury report but did not make enough progress to contribute. Johnson will fill in as needed.
Defensive Depth and Game Preparations
Although the Patriots did not elevate any edge rushers from the practice squad, they have several players available, including Anfernee Jennings and Elijah Ponder. Captain Harold Landry III is listed as questionable but could be fit to play.
Currently, the Patriots have 55 players on their roster for Sunday’s game. They will need to declare seven players inactive to meet the 48-player requirement for game day. Kickoff against the Texans is set for 3 p.m. ET, promising an exciting showdown at Gillette Stadium.
