Patriots' defense get a massive break ahead of Week 6 matchup vs. Texans
A lot has happened since the Patriots suffered their latest disappointing loss to the Dolphins last Sunday, most notably the decision to bench quarterback Jacoby Brissett for rookie Drake Maye. It is a move that has been both widely approved and criticized, mostly due to the timing, as the team prepares for one of the best defensive lines in the league.
It won't be easy for Maye's NFL debut, but with the hopeful stable offensive line that should remain the same starting lineup as Week 5, he will be in better hands than if he had been thrown to the wolves earlier in the season.
The offense will have a rough day, too, even with Kendrick Bourne's return to the lineup. But the defense received some good news on Wednesday morning, with the announcement that the Texans placed their top wide receiver, Nico Collins, on injured reserve.
This means he will be out for the next four games and will miss the upcoming matchup with the Patriots.
Nico Collins going to IR is a huge loss for the Texans offense ⚕️
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) October 9, 2024
Collins’ league ranks since the start of last season:
- 4th in receiving yards per game (93.2)
- 2nd in yards per route run (3.22)
- 2nd in yards per target (12.1) https://t.co/hmZu9ILEGF pic.twitter.com/ICCaRBgop5
While the Patriots have to deal with their depleted secondary, as Jabrill Peppers was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List on Wednesday morning, as well, plus the uncertain return of Kyle Dugger, they will be fortunate not to have an explosive player like Nico Collins on the field to defend.
They'll have to shift their focus to newly acquired Stefon Diggs, who they have had an up-and-down history of shutting down when he was with the Bills, and Tank Dell, who had an impressive rookie season in 2023.
It's also likely that tight end Dalton Schultz will see more action in Collins' absence, so he will need to be accounted for on every snap, or the game could quickly get out of hand.
The good thing is that this news comes out at a good point in the week to give the Patriots enough time to prepare for who the defense will have to deal with. It's already a tough assignment, given the talent on the roster, but losing a shifty player like Collins should be a huge loss for Houston and a big win for New England.
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