Report: Malik Cunningham is a part of the Patriots’ recreation plan, may play attention-grabbing position Sunday

Patriots

Jeff Howe stories that Cunningham might have to be used “elsewhere,” quite than at quarterback or huge receiver.

Malik Cunningham may have an attention-grabbing common season debut if elevated from the Patriots observe squad. (AP Picture/Greg M. Cooper)

  • Report: Patriots to have a number of scouts in attendance for Washington-Oregon recreation

Malik Cunningham is likely one of the Patriots’ most intriguing developmental gamers. The previous Louisville quarterback has practiced each as a quarterback and huge receiver throughout his quick time in New England.

In keeping with The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, Invoice Belichick and the Patriots may make the most of Cunningham in much more attention-grabbing methods this Sunday towards the Las Vegas Raiders.

New England’s observe squad elevations will likely be finalized on Saturday, and it appears Cunningham could also be promoted to the lively roster. Howe stories that the undrafted free agent has been part of the Patriots’ recreation plan this week.

Howe additionally added an attention-grabbing word on the finish of his social media submit about Cunningham’s potential position, given the unsure standing of many gamers following Friday’s harm report.

“With seven gamers already dominated out and 10 extra listed as questionable, they [New England] may have to make use of [Cunningham’s] promotion/activation elsewhere,” Howe wrote.

That submit on X generated a variety of buzz about what precisely “elsewhere” entails in the case of Cunningham. Belichick has made some distinctive personnel choices prior to now to compensate for accidents. At one level, Belichick used former Patriots huge receiver Julian Edelman as a defensive again.

Might Cunningham be deployed on the defensive facet of the soccer? Presumably. The Patriots’ defensive again group is extremely skinny because of a plethora of accidents to key gamers. Extra seemingly, nonetheless, is Cunningham’s potential position on particular groups.

“Malik’s labored actually exhausting and made a variety of enchancment. He by no means actually performed within the kicking recreation at Louisville, so he’s began to point out up there,” Belichick stated throughout his Friday press convention. “He’s a sensible child, works exhausting, and the alternatives he’s had, he’s proven a variety of enchancment.”

If the Patriots are operating too skinny in some particular groups spots, it’s doable Cunningham may fall into that position if in truth he’s elevated from the observe squad. He may be thought of situationally on offense, be it as a gadget quarterback or huge receiver.

Followers reacted to the information of Cunningham’s standing positively, hoping he can recreate the thrill he sparked within the preseason, at no matter place he winds up taking part in.

Cunningham’s position received’t be revealed till New England kicks off towards the Raiders at 4:05 p.m. Japanese time Sunday.