FOXBOROUGH – The only thing Alex Austin wanted was a chance.
After joining the Patriots late last season, as a rookie, Austin showed he could play cornerback in the NFL. This season, however, didn’t start off as planned. After playing mainly on special teams, Austin suffered an ankle injury that forced him on the injured reserve and cost him eight games. Austin played last week in Miami but didn’t see a single defensive snap.
Austin, 23, played a big role for the Patriots defense in their heartbreaking loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The young cornerback finished with a career-high two pass breakups and was also involved in a tough late-game penalty.
“It adds to my confidence knowing that I belong here,” Austin said. “I belong in the NFL. I can make plays. I can compete with the best of them. I needed my opportunity to put it on tape and it came today.”
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson tested Austin in the second quarter. The cornerback deflected his first pass while covering Michael Pittman. The moment, on third down, was big and forced a punt.
In the Colts game-winning drive, Austin deflected another pass while covering Alec Pierce deep down the field. That drive, however, ended in heartbreak for the Patriots. With 1:23 left in the game, Austin was flagged for defensive pass interference on an incomplete pass to Pittman.
Austin looked upset when the official threw the flag. Patriots cornerback coach Mike Pellegrino looked enraged on the sideline. Other Patriots players also had an issue with the call, which moved the Colts offense up 14 yards to the 20-yard line.
“Just got to play more fundamentally, I guess. I really didn’t see enough contact to warrant a flag,” said safety Jabrill Peppers. “But it is what it is.”
“It was a tough play – definitely for me,” Austin added. “Just having the next play mentality, lining back up. You can never let the game come down to plays like that.
“I’m not going to lie. I don’t really know too much about why (it was called). The play was called and I have to get ready for the next snap.”
The Colts went on to win inside Gillette Stadium but Austin played well and looked ready to help the Patriots despite missing eight games with an injury.
“I was feeling ready to go and show not only my teammates but coaches and fans that I’m that same player,” Austin said. “With energy, I’m physical and just loving football. I was ready to go, honestly.”
