Copyright The Boston Globe
The pragmatic Chaisson said his approach is much simpler. “You yell and scream out, get a couple words in, and get back to the sideline,” he said with a laugh. It’s becoming clearer that the 6-foot-3-inch, 255-pounder out of LSU should think about adopting a sack celebration. Sunday marked his first career two-sack game, and he scored his first touchdown when he returned a Cam Ward fumble 4 yards for a score. For his efforts, Chaisson was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week. “Pretty dope,” said Chaisson, who has 4½ sacks on the season, second on the team to Harold Landry’s 5½. “Obviously, I think the best part about it was the win, of course. And if you can contribute to that and be a key factor, that’s the exciting part about it. So, pretty dope for the achievement. But obviously, the most important part was the win.” Chaisson did hang on to the football from his touchdown. What did he do with it? “Man, I got it at home. It’s all locked up,” he said. “I’m ready to send it to my mom and lock it up. Keep it safe for me.” Chaisson is the third Patriot to earn a Player of the Week honor this season. Antonio Gibson (Week 2 at Miami) and Marcus Jones (Week 4 vs. Carolina) were named AFC Special Teams Players of the Week. Coach Mike Vrabel has been impressed with the development of Chaisson, who was signed to a one-year deal this past offseason. “He showed up in the offseason ready to learn, work, and earn a role, and he’s done that,” Vrabel said of the 2020 first-round pick of the Jaguars. “I would say that he’s an important member of the punt team. Something that he’s taken very seriously since he got here, trying to do those things and help us on the punt team, and then taking advantage of his opportunities.” Vrabel was asked about the health of defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. “I would say that his spirits are good,” Vrabel said. “He’s feeling good. He’s been in. He’s been meeting with coaches, been in meetings. So, I appreciate you asking, I do. There will be a treatment plan here coming up that he’ll have to follow, but right now it’s good to see him.” Safety Craig Woodson (ankle) and linebacker Elijah Ponder (knee) were the only Patriots who didn’t practice Wednesday. New England had five players limited: Landry (ankle), defensive tackle Christian Barmore (not injury related/other), wide receiver Stefon Diggs (chest), offensive tackle Morgan Moses (not injury related/other), and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (knee) . . . As for Sunday’s opponent, the Browns, defensive tackle Adin Huntington (concussion) and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) didn’t practice. Cleveland had nine players who were limited, including defensive tackle Mason Graham (knee) . . . Alex Moore will serve as the referee for Sunday’s game. Moore, in his fourth season as an official, was promoted to referee this past offseason. According to NFLpenalties.com, Moore’s crew throws the most flags per game at 17.86. He worked as the lead official for the Patriots’ 33-27 win over the Dolphins earlier this season . . . Former Patriots Logan Mankins, Vince Wilfork, Adam Vinatieri, Asante Samuel, and Rodney Harrison are among the 52 ex-players who advanced in the voting process for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. That group moves to the full selection committee for further consideration.
