The New England Patriots have elevated defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III and wide receiver Jeremiah Webb from the practice squad ahead of their Wild Card playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night at Gillette Stadium.
Taylor, who has appeared in three regular-season games for New England, will provide additional depth along the interior defensive line. Webb, an undrafted rookie signed by the team in May, is being elevated for the first time. His promotion comes as wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was added to the injury report with a hamstring issue. The Patriots are already without Mack Hollins, who is on injured reserve due to an abdomen injury, leaving only five wide receivers available on the active roster.
The elevation of Webb suggests uncertainty about Boutte’s availability for Sunday’s game. The team typically keeps five wide receivers active, and postseason rules allow unlimited practice-squad elevations. This move gives New England flexibility if Boutte cannot play.
Webb is known more for his route-running than size at 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds. In preseason action, he recorded six catches for 80 yards and a touchdown and also made an impact as a return specialist with a 59-yard kickoff return during his second preseason game. Recently, Efton Chism III and running back D’Ernest Johnson have handled most kickoff returns.
On defense, nose tackle Khyiris Tonga has been ruled out with a foot injury. Taylor’s elevation adds depth to a defensive line rotation that includes Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Cory Durden, Eric Gregory, and Taylor himself.
Boutte’s status remains uncertain heading into pre-game warmups. If he cannot play, rookie Kyle Williams may see increased snaps as an outside deep threat while Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, and Chism could rotate through different positions in the formation.
With these two elevations from the practice squad, New England will need to declare seven players inactive 90 minutes before kickoff; Tonga is expected to be among them.
Kickoff between the Patriots and Chargers is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Sunday night at Gillette Stadium.