Breaking down the top news stories ahead of Patriots-Ravens on Sunday:
- Patriots traded OT Justin Herron and a 2024 7th-round pick to the Raiders for their 2024 6th-round pick;
- WR Jakobi Meyers and S Kyle Dugger both sat out practice with knee injuries;
- WR Devin Duvernay (concussion) and CB Marlon Humphrey (groin) sat out practice for the Ravens.
BSJ ANALYSIS
Herron Trade
Think I made my feelings clear about the Patriots' OT depth in the final 53-man roster projection, when I had either Herron or Yodny Cajuste on my list of players I would cut if I were in charge:
OTs Justin Herron/Yodny Cajuste: Don't think either of them ever rises to solid NFL starter, so what's the point? Someone has to provide depth.
I've been watching the Raiders' film to keep up with that offense and what Josh McDaniels is doing, so I'm pretty confident in telling you that Vegas' RT situation is ROUGH. Jermaine Eluemunor, who stunk here, has been the starter and has not been good. He's sharing time with 7th-round pick Thayer Munford, who is very raw but he has all the tools. He should be starting in short order, as soon as they feel confident in the mental side of his game. Eluemunor has been dealing with an injury and he could go on IR soon. Getting Herron should allow them to feel comfortable and going with Munford, knowing they have an experienced backup. Herron is better than Eluemunor.
From the Patriots' perspective, Herron, a 6th-round pick in 2020, was never going to be a starter here, and he was somewhat outplayed by Yodny Cajuste (2019 3rd round). The Patriots signed Marcus Cannon to the practice squad last week. He's probably better than both of them, and they'll need a roster spot to activate Daniel Ekuale from the suspended list at some point (Cannon can do the activation dance three times if they want). Surprises me the Raiders didn't sign Cannon. (Shrug)
Meyers and Dugger don't practice
I'm not worried about Meyers. From what I hear, he's fine and he'll be out there in his normal role on Sunday.
Dugger is a little bit different — he's going to likely be a game-time decision. This is a huge, huge injury this week. If there's one guy on defense who could approach Lamar Jackson in athletic ability and speed, it's Dugger. Jabrill Peppers, Adrian Phillips and Devin McCourty are too slow to do it. Joshuah Bledsoe would be the guy to step in, but he's been battling through a groin injury for a while.
Full injury report:
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-1)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
S Kyle Dugger - Knee
WR Jakobi Meyers - Knee
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
S Joshuah Bledsoe - Groin
DB Cody Davis - Calf
DL Davon Godchaux - Back
LB Raekwon McMillan - Thumb
DL DaMarcus Mitchell - Knee
S Adrian Phillips - Ribs
BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-1)
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
DE Calais Campbell - Not Injury Related / Rest
WR Devin Duvernay - Concussion
OLB Justin Houston - Not Injury Related / Rest
CB Marlon Humphrey - Groin
CB Marcus Peters - Not Injury Related / Rest
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
QB Lamar Jackson - Right Elbow
TE Isaiah Likely - Groin
WR James Proche II - Groin
T Ronnie Stanley - Ankle
DB Brandon Stephens - Quad
CB Damarion Williams - Ankle
FULL PARTICIPATION
RB J.K. Dobbins - Knee
DT Travis Jones - Knee
