Edit: According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Roberts is bruised, but should be fine moving forward.
#Patriots LB Elandon Roberts, carted off vs #Texans, suffered an injury to his ribs. Source said X-Rays were negative. Banged & bruised tho
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 20, 2017
New England Patriots LB Elandon Roberts left the game against the Houston Texans and will not return. The team reports that Roberts suffered an injury to his ribs.
#Patriots injury update: Elandon Roberts (rib) will not return. #NEvsHOU
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2017
Roberts was trying to tackle Texans RB D’Onta Foreman in the open field, but fellow LB Jonathan Freeny ran into him and knocked him off the ballcarrier. Foreman rumbled for 63 yards, while Roberts lay on the field.
The Patriots second-year linebacker also left the first preseason game with an undisclosed injury and left practice early in August with a non-contact injury. Roberts also suffered an injury in the last preseason game during his rookie season. Roberts is a thumper and his style of play is not conducive to staying healthy for a full 16-game season.
Hopefully Roberts is okay, but he offers little value on special teams and if he misses any time he could fall behind Harvey Langi and Jonathan Freeny on the depth chart, putting his roster spot in jeopardy.