With playoff football on the way, the New England Patriots are rounding into form. After already enjoying improved player availability last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, they now have all available hands on deck for their divisional round bout with the Houston Texans.
This means Khyiris Tonga returning from a three-game absence, Harold Landry being in despite carrying the questionable tag into the weekend, and Christian Gonzalez being full-go after starting the week in concussion protocol.
All three will play major roles on Sunday, with Landry the biggest question mark after not practicing fully during the week and sitting out Friday’s session entirely.
Still, with him and the others available, the Patriots are in the best shape they can be at this point in the season. Their full game day roster versus Houston looks as follows:
Patriots game day roster: NFL divisional playoffs vs. Texans
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye (10), Joshua Dobbs (11)
Running back (4): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), TreVeyon Henderson (32), Jack Westover (37 | FB/TE), D’Ernest Johnson (34 | PS elevation)
Wide receiver (5): Kayshon Boutte (9), Stefon Diggs (8), Kyle Williams (18), DeMario Douglas (3), Efton Chism III (86 | KR)
Tight end (2): Hunter Henry (85), Austin Hooper (81)
Offensive tackle (4): Will Campbell (66 | LT), Morgan Moses (76 | RT), Vederian Lowe (59), Thayer Munford Jr. (74)
Interior offensive line (4): Jared Wilson (58 | LG), Garrett Bradbury (65 | C), Mike Onwenu (71 | RG), Ben Brown (77)
Interior defensive line (5): Milton Williams (97), Christian Barmore (90), Khyiris Tonga (95 | FB), Cory Durden (94), Leonard Taylor III (93 | PS elevation)
Defensive edge (4): Harold Landry III (2), K’Lavon Chaisson (44), Anfernee Jennings (33), Elijah Ponder (91)
Linebacker (6): Robert Spillane (14), Christian Elliss (53), Jack Gibbens (51), Jahlani Tavai (48), Marte Mapu (15), Chad Muma (49)
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez (0), Carlton Davis III (7), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Charles Woods (22), Alex Austin (28)
Safety (4): Jaylinn Hawkins (21), Craig Woodson (31), Dell Pettus (24), Brenden Schooler (41)
Specialists (3): Andy Borregales (36 | K), Bryce Baringer (17 | P/H), Julian Ashby (47 | LS)
The aforementioned Khyiris Tonga is not the only defender making his return on Sunday. Cornerback Alex Austin is also back from his stint on injured reserve, and will appear in his first game since Week 11. What his workload will look like remains to be seen, but he offers perimeter depth behind starters Gonzalez and Carlton Davis.
Elsewhere, the Patriots did not pull out any surprises for the game. The biggest uncertainties regard how they will use their available players to counter what is a talented Houston team, especially on defense. Offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. might be a player to watch in his role as a sixth O-lineman.
Patriots reserves
Inactives (7): QB3 Tommy DeVito (16), TE C.J. Dippre (82), OT Marcus Bryant (52), OL Caedan Wallace (70), DT Eric Gregory (55), ED Bradyn Swinson (43), CB Kobee Minor (19)
Practice squad (14): WR John Jiles (83), WR Jeremiah Webb (29), WR Trent Sherfield Sr. (80), TE Marshall Lang (84), OL Brenden Jaimes (61), OL Andrew Rupcich (67), OL Mehki Butler (63), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), DE Darrell Taylor (45), LB Amari Gainer (99), LB Otis Reese (54), CB Miles Battle (35), S Richie Grant (39), S John Saunders Jr. (23)
Practice squad/exempt (1): OT Lorenz Metz (72 | IPPP)
Practice squad/injured (3): RB Craig Reynolds (49), LB Darius Harris (42), TE Thomas Odukoya (88 | IPPP)
Reserve/injured (10): FB Brock Lampe, OT Yasir Durant, CB Marcellas Dial Jr., DT Jaquelin Roy, RB Lan Larison, RB Deneric Prince, DT Isaiah Iton, RB Antonio Gibson, RB Terrell Jennings (IR-R), DT Joshua Farmer, WR Mack Hollins
Reserve/retired (1): OL Wes Schweitzer
While one of the designated returnees is back on the Patriots’ 53-man and game day rosters, the second has yet to be activated. Even though Terrell Jennings did practice all three days this week and fully on Thursday and Friday, he remains on injured reserve.
The Patriots’ divisional round playoff game against the Texans is set for 3 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium.
