The New England Patriots are evaluating depth at the safety position after Craig Woodson and Dell Pettus sustained injuries against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel stated at a press conference on Monday that New England has two safeties on their practice squad — Mike Brown and Elliott Davison — in consideration for a call-up with Woodson and Pettus hurt.
"Again, we’re looking at Dell [Pettus] for an ankle. We have guys on the practice squad. I think some of the veteran practice squad guys are going to factor in this week," Vrabel said, via Patriots Wire's Sophie Weller. "I know that Mike Brown has been with us since the spring, and I think that’s the balance that you weigh with the practice squad.
"We’ve talked about
that. You have some young guys that you’re looking to develop, some veteran guys that have played in games that are preparing as a starter and that’ll be ready to go. So as the week unfolds, we’ll have to make sure that everybody’s ready to go. If guys can’t end up making it, then however we sign guys or elevate guys."
Woodson is dealing with a shoulder injury, while Pettus is nursing an ankle injury. The Patriots have not provided an expected return timetable for either player, and their availability will be determined through medical evaluation and practice participation during the week.
Brown offers the Patriots an experienced safety, having played in 38 career games, five of which he has started. He has produced 60 tackles, 35 of which being solo tackles, and two passes defensed in his career.
Davison has not yet appeared in an NFL regular-season game in his career. He enters the week as a depth option with experience stemming from his pre-NFL days.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Mike Vrabel pinpoints direction if starting DB misses time with injury
