Patriots defensive end Keion White is on the injury report with an illness, and was absent from practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Patriots defensive end Keion White is on the injury report with an illness, and was absent from practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — Cornerback Christian Gonzalez and defensive end Keion White have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins, coach Mike Vrabel said on Friday.
Gonzalez has been sidelined by a balky hamstring since late July. In last Sunday’s opener against the Raiders, Alex Austin got the bulk of the work in his place, and finished with five tackles, including one for a loss, as well as a pass defensed. He said he’s primed for more work against the Dolphins.
“I look forward to going out there and just doing what’s asked of me,” said Austin, who was one of five defensive players to play every snap in the loss to Las Vegas. “For me, it’s about being on my keys when it comes to coverage and winning at the point of attack.”
In place of White — who is on the injury report with an illness, and was absent from practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday — the Patriots could turn to veteran Anfernee Jennings. The edge defender was inactive for the opener.
“I feel good about it,” said Jennings, who had a strong preseason. “I feel good about the game plan, and I’m looking forward to going out there and executing the game plan and coming back with a [win].”
“Anfernee is very ready,” Vrabel said. “We had to make a tough decision last week. We could only have so many guys active, and so I’m excited to see Anfernee play. He’s always been prepared and has taken advantage of his opportunities. He’ll continue to, I imagine, do that on Sunday, and play hard and play physical and be ready to go.”
Vrabel also said that linebacker Marte Mapu (neck) and right tackle Morgan Moses (foot) will be questionable for the game. If Moses isn’t able to play, Vrabel anticipates using a rotation at right tackle, with rookie Marcus Bryant getting the first look before possibly pivoting to Vederian Lowe.
“Marcus would be the first one in,” Vrabel said. “Vederian has worked throughout the spring and training camp to get back. He was active last week, so he would be an option, as well.”
Looking to bounce back
One of the turning points of the loss to the Raiders was Vrabel’s decision to punt with a little less than five minutes remaining and the Patriots trailing by 10.
Bryce Baringer, who averaged 49.8 yards per punt last season, delivered a 21-yarder that set the Raiders up at their 35-yard line. While the short punt didn’t lead to a Las Vegas touchdown, the tone might have changed if Baringer was able to pin the Raiders inside their 10-yard line.
After the game, Vrabel lamented that the Patriots didn’t get a better punt in that situation. On Monday, Baringer echoed Vrabel’s comments, saying he needed to do a better job.
“If I just hit a normal, clean football, they have it at the 10, and then, our defense can go out and hopefully get a stop,” said Baringer, comparing his role to a relief pitcher who struggles after a strong effort by the starter.
Baringer, who had a 59-yard punt earlier in the day, dropped two of his six punts inside the Raiders’ 20-yard line. He dismissed talk of the wind or rain being a factor in his fourth-quarter punt.
“I’ve played in plenty of games here,” said Baringer, who made the NFL All-Rookie team in 2023. “I just need to do a better job of going out and executing it. It’s not a difficult punt to handle in that situation. It’s just about going out and executing.
“I know I can because I’ve done it in the past. It’s just frustrating on my part, because we were getting stops. I thought our defense played really well, but it’s my job to change the field position and create good momentum for our defense, and ultimately that just didn’t happen. I don’t put any blame on anyone but me. I’ve just got to do better at that.”
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.