Patriots could be facing special teams shakeup on Sunday
Saturday’s New England Patriots roster moves suggest the team could be without a key special teams player on Sunday against the Houston Texans.
When the New England Patriots take the field against the Houston Texans on Sunday, they could be without their special teams captain. Saturday’s roster moves suggest long snapper Joe Cardona may not be able to go.
Cardona was added to the injury report on Friday with a calf injury. The team also signed long snapper Tucker Addington to the practice squad on Friday.
On Saturday, the Patriots announced Addington as one of two practice squad elevations for Sunday’s game. That could mean Cardona won’t be able to go, or at least the team is concerned about his ability to play the full game as he deals with this calf injury.
At 32 years old, Cardona is having a career year through five games. His four special teams tackle are already a career high.
The Patriots’ second practice squad elevation for Sunday is rookie running back Terrell Jennings. Jennings was signed by the Patriots as a UDFA out of Florida A&M back in the spring, and had a strong camp.
Despite that, his elevation may come as a bit of a surprise. While the Patriots were expected to elevate a running back with Rhamondre Stevenson out with a foot injury, the team has another running back on the practice squad in Kevin Harris who has nine games of NFL experience under his belt. Harris had a strong summer as well, but it will be Jennings in line to make his NFL debut on Sunday backing up Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty.
The Patriots announced one other roster move, activating linebacker Sione Takitaki from PUP. Takitaki, who was signed as a free agent in the spring, returned to practice two weeks ago after missing training camp due to a knee injury. The team previously had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move is necessary.