The New England Patriots will face the Houston Texans without Ronnie Perkins and Jalen Mills.
The rookie linebacker and veteran cornerback were both downgraded from questionable to out on the eve of Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff at NRG Stadium, the organization announced.
Mills, 27, had been listed as limited for three consecutive practices due to a hamstring injury. Through four starts in the New England secondary, the March arrival has played 88 percent of the defensive snaps to record 12 tackles and one pass deflection.
Perkins, 22, awaits his NFL debut after landing in the third round of April’s draft out at No.