Health Will Help Dictate New England’s Initial 53-Man Roster

The New England Patriots play their preseason finale on Sunday night. The 8 PM game against the Washington Commanders will wrap up the Patriots preseason slate. They will then have less than 48 hours to decide on the team’s initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season. Some players remain on the roster bubble due to performance. But for others, their bubble situation exists because of health, either their own or that of others.

Cornerbacks Jonathan Jones, Marcus Jones, and Shaun Wade returned to practice for the Patriots this past week. So, for this exercise, the focus will be only on those players who either did not participate or were limited in Friday’s practice. There are varying degrees of concern (and information) for this group. Some could play against the Commanders making this a non-issue. But for now, a look at the 14 players who could receive a designation to start the season (IR or PUP) forcing them to miss at least the first four games.

Out/Doubtful (5)

Cole Strange, Offensive Guard

Strange tore the patellar tendon in his left knee last December. He missed the end of the 2023 season and has yet to be seen in 2024. At one point this offseason, Jerod Mayo said Strange was more “month to month” than “day to day.” There is no indication a return for the left guard is even a longshot consideration to start the season at this point.

Also Read – Kelley: Updated New England Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection

Kendrick Bourne, Wide Receiver

Boune suffered an ACL injury in Week 8 last season. New England resigned him in the offseason to a three-year deal, so rushing him back is not in the long-term interests of the team. The Patriots held him out of OTAs in the spring, stating they wanted him to be ready for the summer. But despite Bourne stating multiple times he’d be ready to play in Week 1, he has remained on the PUP list throughout training camp as a nonparticipant on the field. Sidelining him to start the season gives him more time to recover and opens up a spot on the 53-man roster.

Sione Takitaki, Linebacker

New England signed Takitaki in free agency. He’d previously played with the Browns in the NFL. He had a scope on his knee during the offseason. His recovery kept him on the PUP list throughout camp to date. Takitaki was slated to replace Mack Wilson Sr., who departed in free agency to join the Cardinals. Wilson’s role last season was as a reserve linebacker and core special teams player. With Takitaki sidelined, Raekwon McMillan, Christian Elliss, and Joe Giles-Harris have all impressed in a similar role in training camp. Their play lessens the need for Takitaki to push a return back.

Christian Barmore, Defensive Tackle

Barmore began the 2024 NFL year as arguably the New England Patriots’ best player. He won the Andre Tippett Award last season, given to the Patriots Defensive Player of the Year. His outstanding 2023 campaign earned him a lucrative three-year extension this offseason. Barmore received a blood clot diagnosis last month. No further health updates have been given to date. Since he has yet to get back on the field, it is unlikely Barmore will begin the season on the active list, even if he can return to playing football in 2024. The timetable for a return from such a diagnosis is so broad that speculation on Barmore’s return remains pointless. But expecting him to be inactive for at least the first four games seems reasonable.

Marte Mapu, Safety-Linebacker

Mapu enters his second season as a hybrid safety-linebacker. He was poised to see a considerable uptick in playing time. He’s remained out of action throughout training camp. Jerod Mayo described Mapu as being “week to week” a few days ago. This makes him a likely candidate to start the season out of the lineup. As is the case with Taktaki, strong play from others to take his role, at least temporarily, removes a need to rush him back before he’s 100%.

Questionable (4)

Hunter Henry, Tight End

Henry left the practice field two weeks ago and has not been seen since. It is a lower-body (leg) injury, but not much else is known. Mayo said he believed Henry could be ready for Week 1 as recently as last week. This is encouraging for him to be on the initial 53-man roster. Even if being ready to play the Bengals in Week 1 remains a long shot, the vague projection from the head coach makes it sound like Henry play in the first four weeks. If that is a possibility, the Patriots would benefit from leaving that door open as long as possible.

Vederian Lowe, Offensive Tackle

Once again, the designation here is based on a lack of information. Lowe’s injury occurred during Wednesday’s practice, forcing him to exit the practice field, though he did so under his own power. He was holding his lower back/side. He did not return to practice on Thursday or Friday. One sign working against a quick return for Lowe was the New England Patriots’ first unit at offensive line changing dramatically on Friday. Instead of just replacing Lowe at left tackle (as they did with Caedan Wallace for the second half of Wednesday’s practice) they made major changes. Chukwuma Okorafor moved to left tackle, Mike Onwenu shifted to right tackle, and Layden Robinson joined the unit at right guard. Those changes seem extreme if Lowe is expected to make a speedy return.

Calvin Anderson, Offensive Tackle

Anderson sat out practice this week with an undisclosed injury. He is on the roster bubble, but if Lowe remains out to start the season, he’d have a much better shot at sticking. Following a battle with malaria and a heart contusion in 2023, having better health in 2024 would have been nice for the big tackle. He played in both preseason games so far. His availability for Sunday’s game against Washington remains unclear.

Armon Watts, Defensive Line

When Watts signed with New England in free agency, the thought of him not making the 53-man roster was never considered. But after an underwhelming preseason, that is exactly where Watts finds himself. He was absent from practice on Thursday and Friday, though no reason was given (as with Anderson). His availability on Sunday night should be telling. He is battling for a roster spot and needs to impress if available.

Probable (4)

Joshua Uche is “dealing with something” according to Jerod Mayo, but is not expected to be out long-term. This makes him unlikely to begin the season with an IR or PUP designation. After the trade of Matthew Judon, the Patriots’ defense cannot afford to be without the pass-rushing threat of Uche for any prolonged period.

The other three New England Patriots players included here were all limited in practice on Friday: TE Mitchell Wilcox, ED Oshane Ximines, and CB Mikey Victor. Ximines has played his way onto a roster spot. Wilcox has struggled but could be kept if Hunter Henry is inactive to start the season. Victor, an undrafted rookie free agent, is unlikely to make the 53-man roster but would be a good bet to earn a practice roster spot if not designated.