Darryl Roberts ‘Trying To Step Up’ With Patriots’ Starting Cornerbacks Absent

FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots’ group of young cornerbacks competing for roster spots had plenty of time to shine Thursday.

Starters Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan were absent at the Patriots’ first organized team activities session open to the media, leaving Darryl Roberts, Justin Coleman, Cyrus Jones, E.J. Biggers, Jonathan Jones, Cre’von LeBlanc and V’Angelo Bentley to compete for snaps.

“Everybody is just out here flying around, trying to compete,” Roberts said Thursday. “So, with those guys not being here I just wanted to step up and try to help the team any way I can.”

Roberts needs as much time to stand out as possible, since he missed all of his rookie season with a wrist injury. He’s not only competing for a roster spot but also for the Patriots’ nickel defensive back role.

“It was pretty tough, but it happens to the best of them, so I tried to make the best out of my situation,” Roberts said.

Roberts was impressive in training camp last summer and even drew a start in the Patriots’ first preseason game before going down with the injury. So is he trying to build off the momentum from last summer?

“I’m just trying to get out here and grind and compete and get better each day,” Roberts said.

That seems to be the motto around New England these days.

Thumbnail photo via Michael Shroyer/USA TODAY Sports Images