FOXBOROUGH -- The Patriots will open the 2021 season Sunday at home against the Dolphins, but arguably their best defensive player will not be on the field with the rest of the team.
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore is on PUP with a quad injury, so the earliest he can debut is in Week 7.
On Thursday, safety Adrian Phillips was asked about the defense without Gilmore, and the veteran believes the Patriots have players ready to step up.
“You always want your guys out there and we all know how Steph is. We all know when he’s out there he’s a shutdown player," he said. "So, it’s unfortunate he’s not out here, but the guys who have stepped up in his role, they’ve been balling. Y’all know about JC [Jackson], and then you bring in guys like J-Mills [Jalen Mills] and Joejuan [Williams]. Guys who have stepped up and taken their game to a whole [new] level. We’ll be fine.”
Another player the Patriots have brought in is corner Shaun Wade, who they acquired in a trade with the Ravens, at the end of training camp. He could be forced into a prominent role for Sunday's opener since Mills did not practice Thursday with an ankle injury.
Phillips has been impressed with what he's seen.
“I mean, basically he’s a sponge," he said. "He came from Baltimore and he came like last week of training camp, so guys kind of already know each other and know how each other play. He’s the new guy in the room and trying to remember all of our names, but we’ve embraced him.
“You see talent from off the jump -- like immediately. Like the guy can play. He’s always listening because he wants to learn. He talks to the older guys in the room to see certain techniques and stuff like that. He’s a guy that doesn’t say too much, but you know he’s receiving everything.”
The Patriots will host the Dolphins Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
