Week 5 Patriots vs Texans inactives: Patriots missing four starters on the offensive line

After two straight home losses, the New England Patriots travel to Houston as they look to get back in the win column against the 1-3 Texans. They will have to do so without 80 percent of their starting offensive line, as tackles Trent Brown and Isaiah Wynn and guards Michael Onwenu and Shaq Mason did not make the trip.

As the Patriots will have to make due with a makeshift offensive line, let’s take a look at who else was ruled inactive on both sides of the ball.

Patriots inactives

OG Shaq Mason

DB Shaun Wade

DB Jalen Mills

LB Ronnie Perkins

TE Devin Asiasi

RB J.J. Taylor

After ruling Trent Brown (calf) and Shaq Mason (abdomen) out for Sunday’s game on Saturday, New England then shifted Brown to the IR. The right tackle played just seven snaps in the Patriots’ season opener against Miami before injuring his calf and has not been seen since. Brown dealt with a similar calf issue last season with Las Vegas.

The Patriots will also be missing the left side of their offensive line, as both Isaiah Wynn and Michael Onwenu remain on the Covid-19 reserve list.

New England will be left with David Andrews manning the middle, but he’ll be surrounded by a cast of new characters. Justin Herron and Yasir Durant will most likely man the tackle positions with Yodney Cajuste serving as the top backup. Ted Karras and James Ferentz, who was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday, will likely start at the guard positions. New England also elevated guards Alex Redmond and Will Sherman off the practice squad to provide interior depth.

Saturday’s practice squad elevations also included defensive back Myles Bryant for the second straight week. After ruling out defensive back Jalen Mills (hamstring) and Shaun Wade (concussion) on Saturday, Bryant and third-year cornerback Joejuan Williams could be in for increased roles. Jonathan Jones, who was limited throughout the week with an ankle injury, is active, however.

Also offensively, J.J. Taylor is inactive after his costly fumble last week, while rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson makes his return to the lineup. Stevenson has not been active since Week 1.

Texans inactives

QB Deshaun Watson

TE Brevin Jordan

CB Jimmy Moreland

RB Scottie Phillips

RB Rex Burkhead

DE Charles Omenihu

While Houston’s roster features a slew of former Patriots, they will not have to face running back Rex Burkhead, who was ruled out earlier this week with a hip injury. Wide receiver Danny Amendola (thigh) will also join Burkhead as inactive. Meanwhile, Marcus Cannon has been sent to injured reserve due to a back injury. He was listed as questionable heading into the weekend.