The Patriots made a trio of moves on Saturday, ahead of their Sunday matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. They activated defensive tackle Christian Barmore from IR, and to open up a roster spot for Barmore placed offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn on injured reserve. They also elevated linebacker Jamie Collins from the practice squad for the game.
This is the first week Barmore was eligible to return for IR. Although he was placed on IR prior to Week 11, he hasn’t played since Week six due to a knee injury.
Before Barmore got hurt, he was a key part of the Patriots’ pass rush. Over the first six games of the season he generated 11 pressures with one sack, and had a PFF pass rush grade of 70 with a 14.8 percent pass rush win rate.
Now, the Patriots plug Barmore back into a pass rush that has been as good as any in the league over the last month and a half. Since Week 8 the Patriots have 24 sacks as a team, the second most in the league in that span. Barmore’s return will take offensive attention away from the two surging edge rushers, Matthew Judon and Josh Uche.
Wynn hasn’t played since Week 11 due to the foot injury, although he had been removed from the starting lineup a few weeks before. His regular season now officially comes to an end with his IR placement. Players on IR must miss at least four games, and this move comes with just four games left in the regular season. That means there’s a chance that Wynn has played his last game with the Patriots, given his rookie contract expires at the end of the season. However, he would be eligible to return if the Patriots make the playoffs.
Without Wynn, the Patriots have three tackles on their active roster in Trent Brown, Yodny Cajuste, and Conor McDermott. McDermott has started at right tackle opposite Brown the last two weeks, but that’s come with Cajuste in the injury report with calf and back injuries. Cajuste is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s game.
As for Collins, this is his third elevation of the season – which is the limit for a single player. The previous two games were Week 7 against Chicago, and last week against Arizona when he played five snaps on defense and six on special teams.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.
Patriots add to defensive line, place offensive lineman on IR in trio of roster moves
