The New England Patriots may soon gain advantages from primary upgrades to want positions without making any moves before the NOVEMBER 3 NFL industry deadline.
The David Andrews Center, the defensive take-off of Beau Allen and supporter Josh Uche return to practice on Wednesday and are eligible to play Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers after being named to return from the injured reserve.
Wednesday practice also saw right guard Shaq Mason, Byron Cowart’s defensive take and outside supporter Derek Rivers activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list.
After taking Jermaine Eluemunor right placed in the injured reserve, the Patriots have 51 out of 53 places on their active list and their 16-seat educational team is full.
The Patriots have room to attack two players on the injured reserve list. They’re going to have to make a list move to face three Andrews, Allen and Uche.
The apparent maximum way to create roster space would be to give up defensive back Myles Bryant, an unsused rookie who has not made his NFL debut since being added to the 53-man roster before Week 2. However, under NFL rules, the Patriots would have to pay Davis a minimum wage for another two weeks, to give up the defensive take on Carl Davis, who added last week while Cowart was on the COVID-19/ reserve list.
It’s also imaginable that patriots will only attack one or two players this week and wait to open a place to light the third. Allen would be the top likely candidate to stay in RI for a week or two, as he hasn’t practiced since August. Patriots can remain Davis until then.
Andrews’ return would change the Patriots’ offensive line. Here’s what an initial alignment would look like:
LT Isaiah WynnLG Joe ThuneyC David AndrewsRG Shaq MasonRT Michael Onwenu
Mason still suffers a calf injury. If he can’t play, then Onwenu would play as a right guard and fellow rookie Justin Herron would come and play as a right tackle.
Uche has not yet made his NFL deyet, however, it would raise an indispensable mix of length to the backing man’s speed. The Patriots basically used Adrian Phillips’ protection along with Ja’Whaun Bentley as an off-the-ball supporter. to this position without compromising too much speed.
The Patriots finished their defensive shot of intensity through the practice squad by raising Nick Thurman and Xavier Williams. When Allen returns, the Patriots will have a full defensive take on the list by joining Cowart, Lawrence Guy and Adam Butler. Davis would provide additional intensity if he remained on the 53-player list. Thurman and Bill Murray remain on the practice team.
Allen is also the only prototypical nose shot on the Patriots list. Adding your large body of 6 feet 3 and 327 pounds to the center of the defensive can do wonders for New England ground defense.