Patriots Should Be Cautious When Filling Open Roster Spots

The Patriots will make a few roster moves before their matchup with the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

New England placed a pair of offensive linemen on injured reserve Friday, leaving it with three open roster spots entering the weekend. It’s extremely unlikely that Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf feel comfortable entering a must-win matchup with a trio of open spots, so it can be expected that they’re all filled Saturday.

Mayo and Wolf can’t afford to just make the obvious choices, though.

The Patriots could just activate wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, linebacker Sione Takitaki and linebacker/safety Marte Mapu, who all started practicing this week with the intent to return from reserve lists. How does that help the offensive line, though? Do they really think those guys are ready, or is it just convenient that they’re eligible to return?

Mapu should almost certainly be activated, as his placement on injured reserve was more of a timing issue than one that came because of a devastating injury. Kyle Dugger didn’t practice all week, so the return of someone who can play a similar role would go a long way in helping New England’s defense keep some continuity. Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington sure seems ready to toss the 24-year-old back into his lineup.

“It’s great to have him back,” Covington said Thursday. “I was glad to see him out there (Wednesday). He’s a smart player who’s been preparing. I mean, this dude is like a coach in the classroom the way he prepares and the questions that he asks.”

Bourne would certainly be a helpful addition, but Week 5 might be a tad early for a team that is expected to sell at the trade deadline. The Patriots might want to let him get some positive tape out there, but they could also be looking to let Tyquan Thornton play a little bit before shipping him off for a conditional draft pick.

Takitaki is a question, as well. New England found something in Christian Elliss as a nickel linebacker, as he was really solid in coverage against the San Francisco 49ers. The Patriots might want to add to the second level anyway, though, as Jahlani Tavai could then play on the line of scrimmage — where he’s had success over the last couple of seasons.

Who gets elevated if it isn’t Mapu, Bourne and Takitaki?

Bryan Hudson is a candidate to be bumped up from the practice squad, perhaps filling in for Andrews. Caleb Jones and Jalen McKenzie are both tackles who could be added… because they’re tackles.

New England can get creative with how it does things, but the last thing it wants is to elevate someone just to eventually cut them. Mapu? Bourne? Takitaki? Hudson? Jones? McKenzie? The Patriots have some decisions to make.