The New England Patriots are one of the healthiest teams in the NFL at this point in the season: no other club had all 53 players on its active roster participate fully in every single practice this week. Consequently, the Patriots did not list anyone on Friday’s final injury report of the week. However, they have since announced that a player has indeed been added to the list: linebacker Elandon Roberts.
The 24-year old is officially questionable to play today against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a thigh injury. Roberts made the trip to Pittsburgh with his teammates but will likely be a game-time decision — and despite not being a starter in New England’s defense a loss. After all, the third-year man serves as the Patriots’ number three linebacker and in this role has played 44.2% of the team’s defensive snaps this season.
If Roberts, who has his strengths in the running game but has noticeably improved as a coverage defender this season, will miss the game against the Steelers, the Patriots will likely have to turn to one of their core special teamers to potentially fill his role: either Ramon Humber or Albert McClellan — they of a combined three defensive snaps this season — might see additional playing time in case Roberts’ thigh issue forces him out of the contest.