FOXBORO -- Patriots corner Tarell Brown was absent from the start of practice for the second consecutive day on Friday. He was the only player on the team not present. On Thursday, Brown did not participate in practice due to a foot injury.
Brown's absence Friday does not bode well for his availability against the Colts on Sunday night. If he can't play, the Patriots will be down to four healthy corners: Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Justin Coleman and Rashaan Melvin, who was acquired via waivers earlier this week.
According to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Brown is dealing with a "potentially serious" foot injury and is in the process of seeking out a second opinion.
Brown suffered a season-ending foot injury last year and waited until training camp to sign with the Patriots because he wanted to give his time the time it needed to heal. He dressed for New England's Week 3 win over the Jaguars but was the only player not to play in the 51-17 victory.
Brown has played in 59 percent of the team's defensive snaps thus far this season, and he has seen a significant amount of time in the slot. Only Ryan has seen more snaps in the slot than Brown even though it is a new position for Brown, who has been more accustomed to playing on the outside during his seven-year career prior to joining the Patriots.
The Colts could present the Patriots secondary a significant challenge should Brown miss the Week 6 contest. With receivers TY Hilton, Andre Johnson, Donte Moncrief and rookie Phillip Dorsett, as well as tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis has a variety of options to turn to in the passing game.
Without Brown, the Patriots would have just four corners -- including two, Coleman and Melvin, who are still new to the Patriots system -- coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia may look to augment their coverage with the use of multiple safeties. Devin McCourty has experience as a corner and could see some time in that role. Patrick Chung played corner in college and has been used as a slot defender, oftentimes matched up on tight ends, throughout his career and could be used there again.
New England Patriots
Brown's injury taken in a vacuum may not appear to be a game-changing one, but when looking at the big picture in the Patriots secondary, it is clear that their depth there could be tested.