FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty officially is listed as questionable for Week 15’s matchup with the Tennessee Titans, but it seems unlikely the All-Pro will suit up.
McCourty reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain in the Patriots’ Week 14 win over the Houston Texans. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday but returned Friday.
Another Rutgers product, Duron Harmon, is next in line to receive snaps at free safety for the Patriots. He’s played in all 13 games, starting three, this season, playing 464 snaps as the Patriots’ nickel/dime defensive back. He hasn’t been individually targeted in the passing game this season but has three interceptions and four pass breakups while showcasing his impressive range in the Patriots’ deep centerfield role.
“I feel like the more football you play, the more comfortable you get,” Harmon said Friday. “It’s my third year, been in a lot of different game situations. I feel like it’s just another game.”
With Harmon taking on a starting role, the Patriots will need to deploy different players in the nickel and dime roles. New cornerback Leonard Johnson likely will play the slot, while safeties Tavon Wilson and Patrick Chung will cover tight ends. Rookie Jordan Richards could play next to Harmon when the Patriots drop two safeties deep in a Cover-2.
“Dev does a lot of things for us,” Harmon said. “Deep part of the field, down in the box, covering tight ends, covering receivers, not just one guy can do that. He’s a special talent, has a special type of versatility. It’s going to be a group effort to do the things he did for us, and I feel like we have the players to do that.”
It seems unlikely the Patriots would want to take Harmon out of his role at free safety, since there’s not another player on their roster who can cover the deep part of the field like he and McCourty.
The Titans don’t have many dangerous receiving threats, so starting cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan could give rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota fits.
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Hoffman/USA TODAY Sports Images
