Sergio

Brown

It’s a little blow to the Patriots’ pass defense. Barrett was coming on as an asset next to Patrick Chung, making four starts this season. Former undrafted free agent Sergio Brown is the next man up.

Ihedigbo was brought to the Patriots to contribute on special teams, and with Josh Barrett going on I.R. he is now thrust into a starting role. Practice squad call-up Ross Ventrone replaced him, and both are well-below average players trying to put their finger in the dike. Valued practice squad signee Sergio Brown has fallen behind Ventrone.

Brown is taking S Jermale Hines’ roster spot. Brown saw heavy snaps on defense for the Patriots last season, but should be primarily limited to special teams in Indy.

Brown has been a favorite of Bill Belichick since signing with New England after going undrafted in 2010. It appears he may have hit a snag in his development, however, as the team has buried him on the depth chart. Brown is no higher than fifth on the safety depth chart after Saturday’s re-signing of James Ihedigbo.

Brown is a key special teamer. The quick rule out suggests he’s dealing with a significant pull.

Brown, a core special teamer, had surgery on Tuesday and will likely play with a club Sunday. As coach Chuck Pagano said, he’s one tough cookie.

Brown opened last season as the starting free safety for the Jaguars, but he was benched a month into the season before being cut in April. He is likely just a camp body.

Brown sat out the first eight weeks after getting cut from Atlanta this preseason. He’ll give Buffalo safety depth with Aaron Williams (neck) on I.R.

Sample played strong safety in college, but the positions are interchangeable in Gus Bradley’s scheme. Sergio Brown has been working opposite Jonathan Cyprien during OTAs and remains the favorite to start. Sample would need a strong training camp to unseat Brown.

Brown received the 24th-highest safety grade from Pro Football Focus in 2014. Most of his 531 snaps came during LaRon Landry’s four-game suspension for PEDs. Jaguars beat writer Ryan O’Halloran called free safety an “every-down, all-day position.” If that holds true, Brown should get plenty of work this season.