Much will be on the line on Sunday for the New England Patriots as they welcome the Texans to Foxborough in a battle between two teams that started slow and have finished hot. Houston got off to an 0-3 start to this year, while the Patriots were 1-2, but the Texans went 13-2 after that, and the Patriots were 14-1. A trip to next week’s AFC Championship game is in the offing, with the winner traveling to Denver to face a Broncos team that will be without quarterback Bo Nix (broken ankle).
Before the game, the Patriots sought to shore up their depth with roster moves, which included getting Alex Austin back from injured reserve. Austin is in his third year with the Patriots and had appeared in 12 games, including making two starts early in the season when Christian Gonzalez was out with a hamstring issue.
Austin has struggled (he allows a 143.2 passer rating) but gives the Pats depth as the CB5 in the defensive backfield while also providing special teams help.
Patriots Getting Alex Austin Off IR
The Patriots have two other players also back and ready to suit up for Sunday. From the team’s announcement of the moves:
“The New England Patriots announced that CB Alex Austin has been activated to the 53-man roster from injured reserve. He was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 25 after seeing action in the first 12 games of the season. In addition, the Patriots elevated RB D’Ernest Johnson and DL Leonard Taylor III to the active roster from the practice squad.”
Johnson is a 29-year-old veteran the Patriots like to have on gamedays because he is versatile–he gives New England depth at running back and in the return game. He has rushed 13 times for 25 yards, and has five returns for 128 yards. He has 103 games of NFL experience, plus three playoff games, and will be the RB3 behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
Khyiris Tonga Return Could Loom Large
Taylor is a two-year NFL veteran who made three appearances this season, and played 22 snaps last week against the Chargers. The hope for the Patriots is that they do not have to use him much on Sunday, not with Milton Williams back and healthy, and with Khyiris Tonga finally returning from the foot injury he suffered in Week 16. Cory Durden is the fourth defensive lineman, and if everyone stays healthy, there will be limited snaps for Taylor and Eric Gregory.
Coach Mike Vrabel talked about getting Tonga back this week: “We’ll find out on Sunday. He’s great to have in practice, but what matters is what it’s going to be on Sunday at 3 p.m. I would say that hopefully he could pick up where he left off in his production, what he was able to do and how he helped us inside there as an interior, rotational player with Milt [Milton Williams] and Christian [Barmore], playing all those guys. Cory [Durden]’s helped us – but that’s what this league is about, it’s about taking advantage of opportunities, getting an opportunity.
“When Tonga wasn’t out there, that meant more snaps for Cory, and in this case, Leonard [Taylor III] and Eric [Gregory], and those guys all, I feel like, improved. Not only that, but took advantage of their opportunities. So, it’ll be good to add Tonga back into that.”
Patriots Announce New Roster Moves Ahead of Texans Matchup