Overview
- Rookie Behren Morton stepped in during the Patriots’ preseason game, punted three times for 133 yards and led a late 37-yard touchdown drive that won the game.
- Coach Mike Vrabel said Bryce Baringer’s undisclosed ailment is “serious enough” that New England will probably sign a new punter to replace him.
- Morton completed 13 of 17 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown and had not punted in competitive play since high school, which underscored his unexpected versatility.
- The team faces quick decisions with the preseason finale on August 27 and 53-man cuts around August 30, and the NFL emergency third-quarterback rule would limit Morton’s ability to serve as a regular-season punter if he is kept as the emergency QB.
- Baringer is in a contract year, so how long he misses and who the Patriots sign could affect the club’s long-term punting plan and the job security of both kicker and special-teams players.