FOXBOROUGH – For the second-straight week, the Patriots’ depth at safety will be tested.
Kyle Dugger is inactive and won’t play in Sunday’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns after suffering a knee injury. Dugger started the last two Patriots games in place of Jaylinn Hawkins, who was out with a hamstring injury.
Dugger popped up on the injury report on Thursday with a knee ailment. He was limited in the team’s last two practices and listed as questionable.
Without Dugger, the Patriots will likely start Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson. The team also has Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler on the depth chart. On Saturday, the Patriots also elevated veteran safety Richie Grant from the practice squad.
This week, Mike Vrabel and Patriots safeties coach Scott Booker said they’ve been pleased with their safety depth chart.
“In the National Football League, the injury rate is 100%,” Booker said. “Guys are going to get injured, so we make sure that guys, whether it’s Dug, Dell, School, any of those guys, they get reps during the week. They prepare in meetings. They prepare in walkthroughs, and they prepare to be starters. You never know when that is. Feel like the depth has been able to show up in these last couple of weeks. We’re going to try to increase that so guys are ready to go whenever their number is called.”
Hawkins returns on Sunday for the first time in two weeks. The veteran started the first five games of the season, amassing 23 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception.
The Patriots also added experience to the game-day roster after elevating Grant. The 27-year-old started 33 games over the last three seasons in Atlanta. Grant made a career-high 123 tackles with the Falcons in 2022.
“We’re always trying to enhance our depth. Trying to create competition. Richie has been a good addition so far,” Booker said. “Have only had him for eight days, but have enjoyed having him around. Look forward to him continuing to learn our defense.”
The Patriots inactive list also features a couple of surprises.
Keion White is a healthy scratch for the second time this season. The 2023 second-round pick hasn’t developed a consistent role this season in Vrabel’s defense. White has six tackles with no quarterback hits or sacks in five games. He finished with a career-high five sacks and 16 quarterback hits a year ago.
Anfernee Jennings and Elijah Ponder are the Patriots backup edge rushers with White inactive.
The Patriots will also have a new kickoff returner as Efton Chism III is inactive after playing in the last two games. Chism worked as the Patriots main returner, replacing Antonio Gibson. He averaged 24.1 yards per return.
The Patriots will have a new returner against the Browns.
Also inactive for the Patriots are Caedan Wallace, Caleb Muprhy, Eric Gregory, and Tommy DeVito.
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