With defensive end Jermaine Cunningham out for the next four games due to suspension, and Chandler Jones nursing an ankle injury, one player who figures to see an increase in reps over the next few weeks is 2012 free agent pick-up Trevor Scott.
Scott has had a bit of a slow start to his Patriots' career after initially appearing ready to take on a prominent role in training camp. In nine games this year, Scott has recorded six tackles and no sacks, but has played more in recent weeks and has made a few pressures. That being said, he knows that due to the situations surrounding Cunningham and Jones, he could take on a starting role.
A few Scott quotes, as transcribed by Field Yates of ESPN Boston:
"If it [his role] does increase, I feel like I'll be ready for it. You can't control what goes on, but I will control what I do on Sundays, and I'll go through preparing well this week and just get ready to win the game."
"I don't really know what's going to happen as far as [the] depth chart or whatever, but I'll definitely be preparing to get a more active role this week."
"It [his preparation] doesn't change," Scott noted. "I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing all week and see what happens."
"Yeah we have a set-up so as soon as somebody goes down, it's the next man in. And you're expected to perform just as well as anybody else. That's why we work hard every week to stay mentally and physically prepared."
What do you think of Scott? Do you think he can be a viable short term replacement for Cunningham and Jones?