Inactive players, news and more from NFL Week 6

By Christopher Price

The Patriots just announced their inactives. Here's a look at the final list and what it means this afternoon:

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) was downgraded to out on Friday. Antonio Gibson appears to be the Patriots' first choice in the running game.

Gibson had a good start to his career in New England, averaging 5.9 yards per carry and 207 rushing yards this season. Additionally, he ranks second in average yards after contact (4.54), fourth in average rushing yards above expectations (2.2), and fifth in yards per rush attempt (5th). ,9).

Long snapper Joe Cardona (calf) is also out for today's game, meaning Tucker Addington will handle special teams duties for New England this afternoon.

Offensive lineman Layden Robinson, who played every snap in the first four games of the season but was limited in Week 5, is inactive this afternoon. Robinson, who was on the injury report this week with ankle and wrist problems, will be replaced in the lineup by Mike Onwenu at right back.

Wide receivers Javon Baker and Tyquan Thornton and defensive tackle Eric Johnson lead the healthy scratches. And Joe Milton III is the emergency quarterback.

For the Texans, the inactive list includes WR Robert Woods, CB Kamari Lassiter, S Jimmie Ward, G Nick Broeker and OLB Rashad Weaver.

Joe Mixon, who hasn't played since spraining his ankle in Week 2, is available for Houston.

By Khari Thompson

Texas quarterback CJ Stroud chuckled when asked to give Patriots rookie Drake Maye advice for his first NFL start.

“Not this week,” Stroud said.

The Patriots, reeling from their fourth straight loss, opted to replace veteran Jacoby Brissett with Maye earlier this week.

They'll throw Maye into the fire against Houston, which leads the league in pressure rate (42 percent) and is second in passing yards per game (272.4).

The Patriots (7-0) have never lost to the Texans at Gillette Stadium. Will New England maintain its winning streak in Maye's first start?

Here are five things to keep in mind.

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By Nicole Yang

Which of the following unnamed quarterback performances would be considered the best in the NFL?

Player A completed 18 of 33 pass attempts (54.5 percent) for 245 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked five times in a 31-20 loss.

Player B completed 29 of 39 pass attempts (74.4 percent) for 281 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He was sacked once in a 17:16 defeat.

Player C completed 28 of 44 pass attempts (63.6 percent) for 242 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked five times in a 25-9 loss.

Player B would be considered the best, right? He didn't turn the ball over and, at the time, recorded the highest completion percentage among rookie quarterbacks making their first NFL start with at least 25 pass attempts.

Player B was Mac Jones from New England. Player A was Buffalo's Josh Allen. Player C was Houston's CJ Stroud.

As Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye prepares for his first NFL start, it's important to remember that what happens Sunday isn't necessarily representative of what's to come. Jones ended his rookie season on a downward trend, ultimately losing his starting spot (and confidence) amid crumbling infrastructure.

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By Christopher Price

The Patriots signed linebacker Sione Takitaki to the 53-man roster on Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Texans.

Takitaki, who began the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, is in his first year with the Patriots. The 6-foot-1, 245-pounder is expected to provide additional depth at the second level to a defense that is without Ja'Whaun Bentley, who suffered a pectoral injury last month.

With Rhamondre Stevenson also out with a foot injury, the Patriots signed running back Terrell Jennings from the practice squad. Jennings, 23, is a 6-foot, 217-pound player in his first season out of Florida A&M. During his college career, he played in 44 games and finished with 281 rushing attempts for 1,860 yards and 24 touchdowns.

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By Chad Finn

Well, they will be more interesting. At least we will have that.

The quarterback switch from veteran Jacoby Brissett to rookie Drake Maye after five games and four losses in this dull Patriots season should inject some excitement into an offense that ranks 32nd (or.) in passing yards per game (119.4). last) and 31st in passing yards per game, total offense (250.8) and points per game (12.4).

The games are worth anticipating now that the 22-year-old Maye has stepped in for Brissett, the ultimate placeholder quarterback who was under constant siege with a toughness reminiscent of Steve Grogan but only two touchdown passes managed.

Both are objectively true: Brissett was ailing. And he was bad.

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Emma can be reached at [email protected] or at @_EmmaHealy_. Amin Touri can be reached at [email protected]. Nicole Yang can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @nicolecyang. Christopher Price can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @cpriceglobe. Ben Volin can be reached at [email protected].