The Patriots, no matter the record, the position in the standings or the number of times Drake Maye is mentioned on national chat programs, are still a team very much in need of depth. Other than the Antonio Gibson ACL injury, the Patriots have been fortunate to dodge major injuries thus far this season, and with many positions manned by solid starters and concerning backups, that’s a key to their success.
Certainly, the defensive backs have been one of the spots where there are worries. And the Patriots bolstered that group on Wednesday, the same day that the team saw safety Jaylinn Hawkins miss practice with a hamstring injury.
The team announced that it signed Richie Grant, the Falcons’ second-round pick from Central Florida in 2021, to a deal. Grant will start off with the practice squad.
Richie Grant Had 32 Starts in 2 Seasons
Grant spent his first four seasons with the Falcons, and played extensively in 2022 and 2023, his second and third years in the NFL. He started 32 games in those two seasons, and put put 226 tackles, 13 passes defensed and three interceptions combined. He was a good safety out of the blitz, but allowed a 104.9 passer rating when his receiver was targeted in his four seasons with the Falcons.
The Falcons chose not to sign Grant this offseason and after spending his training camp with the 49ers, he was let go on cut-down day.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Richie Grant #27 of the Atlanta Falcons
Patriots’ Jaylinn Hawkins Dealing With Hamstring
Hawkins missed the Patriots’ Week 6 game against the Saints.
He addressed the media on Wednesday and while he did not update the injury, he had plenty of praise for the way the defense played in Week 6, limiting New Orleans to three second-half points.
“They turned up,” he said. “I missed my guys out there. Man, it was good to see. It was good to see everybody out there doing their job, playing sound defense and having fun. That’s the biggest thing. It helps the offense, offense helps the defense. Helps the team. I was just happy to see our performance. There’s still stuff to improve on.”
Patriots Leaning on Rookie, Dealing With Struggling Veteran at Safety
Without Hawkins, the Patriots started veteran Kyle Dugger against the Saints and gave him longest run of what has been a frustrating season for him. Dugger had played just one snap in Week 5 against the Bills, but played all 56 defensive snaps in New Orleans. He played only 24.1% of the Patriots’ snaps in the first five weeks.
Dugger posted a Pro Football Focus grade of just 52.3 in Week 6, lowest of the season, and a particularly worrisome 43.7 pass coverage grade.
Rookie Craig Woodson remains the strength of the team’s safety bunch, as well as its Iron man–he has played 359 snaps, or 98% of New England’s defensive opportunities, this season.
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