The New England Patriots have named six practice players of the week from the team’s 27-16 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are DT Malcom Brown, RB Tyler Gaffney, OG Ted Karras, DB Brandon King, DB Jordan Richards, and WR DeAndrew White.
Practice players of the week: RB Tyler Gaffney, G Ted Karras, WR DeAndrew White, DB Jordan Richards, DB Brandon King & DL Malcom Brown.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 26, 2016
Brown stepped up as both Vincent Valentine and Woodrow Hamilton were injured. He could have acted as Steelers DL Stephon Tuitt for the scout team. This is the first time a starter has been named practice player of the week all season.
Gaffney likely served as Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell for the scout team. Bell tore up the Patriots defense for 149 total yards, but it could have been much, much worse.
Karras was either Steelers OC Maurkice Pouncey or OG David DeCastro for the scout team, or maybe both.
King could have been Steelers LB Ryan Shazier for the scout team. This is his second practice player of the week distinction in 2016.
Richards might have played as the Steelers safeties in their coverage of TE Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski uncorked in the second half of the game. This is the second practice player of the week award for Richards.
White likely played as Steelers WR Antonio Brown, one week after winning practice player of the week for his scout team work as Bengals WR A.J. Green.
Previous Winners
Week 1: RB D.J. Foster, DB Brandon King, DB Jordan Richards, DB Vinnie Sunseri
Week 2: QB Jacoby Brissett, LB Elandon Roberts, DT Woodrow Hamilton
Week 3: TE AJ Derby
Week 5: OG Chris Barker, RB D.J. Foster, TE AJ Derby, DB Eric Rowe, DL Geneo Grissom, DB Vinnie Sunseri
Week 6: ED Trey Flowers, DT Anthony Johnson, RB Bishop Sankey, WR DeAndrew White