The New England Patriots made a number of roster moves with the Baltimore Ravens on the Saturday before their Sunday night matchup.
The patriots:
– Placed outside of linebacker Shilique Calhoun in the injured reserve.
– Activated offensive against Jermaine Eluemunor from the IR.
– Increased center-backs Terez Hall and Cassh Maluia from the training team.
– No defensive tackle Nick Thurman.
– Jordan Thomas was added to the 53 man list.
– Signed the full-back Paul Quessenberry into the practice group.
Calhoun has played a prominent role in New England’s pass-rushing packages this season, also playing 42.8 percent of the Patriots’ special team snaps. His absence should create additional opportunities for Josh Uche.
Eluemunor played well as the Patriots’ surprise starter earlier this season. It’s unclear if he’ll recapture that spot considering how well rookie Mike Onwenu played in his absence.
This is Hall’s second survey in a row. He started and played on his NFL debut last week, recording six tackles in a 30:27 win over the New York Jets. Maluia was dropped from the 53-man squad just this week. He appeared in seven of New England’s first eight games but has yet to play a defensive snap in the NFL.
The addition of Hall and Maluia cast doubt on the status of linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley for Sunday. Bentley missed last week’s game with a groin injury and is one of 17 Patriots players classified as questionable.
Baltimore has one of the league’s top rushing offenses, ranking first in yards per game and third in yards per carry this season.
The Patriots recently increased the depth along the D-Line and made Thurman redundant in the form of Carl Davis, who debuted against the Jets, and Isaiah Mack, who did so on Sunday.
With Thomas, who the Patriots requested from the Arizona Cardinals earlier this week and who is now officially on the list, he can play on Sunday. However, New England could wait until next week to deploy Thomas as he has not yet trained with their new team.
The run back from Sony Michel was not activated from the injured reserve. Patriots have until Thursday November 26th to activate Michel, who returned to practice on November 5th.
Running backs coach Ivan Fears said Friday that Michel’s quad injury and stint on the Reserve / COVID-19 list “really set him back”.
“We have to get him back in shape,” said Fears. “We have to get him back in shape and get him going again. And he’s doing a great job. I mean, it looks really good in practice. It really is. “
The decision not to activate Michel could be seen as a good sign for Damien Harris, who is considered questionable with chest and ankle injuries but is preparing for the game.
Sunday’s kick-off is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium.
Thumbnail via Brian Fluharty / USA TODAY Sports Images
