FOXBORO — There’s been little clarity over the status of Patriots cornerbacks in the last week, but one thing is apparent as the team flies to Germany: little-known defensive back Shaun Wade should be taking on a bigger role Sunday against the Colts in Germany.

Wade, a Ravens 2021 fifth-round pick out of Ohio State, started last Sunday’s loss to the Commanders over J.C. Jackson and Jack Jones, both of whom missed curfew to the team hotel Saturday. Jackson took over for Wade on the Patriots’ third defensive series, and Jones began to rotate into the defense starting in the second quarter. Wade barely played after the first two defensive drives.

Jackson now won’t travel with the team to Germany this week over a lack of dependability. That will leave the Patriots with Wade, Jack Jones, Jonathan Jones, Myles Bryant and the newly signed Alex Austin at cornerback on the 53-man roster.

“It’s going to be a bigger role no matter what happens,” Wade told the Herald this week. “Whatever role I get, I’m going to go out there and do my role, and that’s my job, so I’m going to continue to do my role no matter what it is.”

Wade has played in eight games this season and started two. The 25-year-old cornerback was traded to the Patriots after training camp when he was a rookie and has been a backup with the Patriots for three seasons now. When cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino was asked about Jackson and Jack Jones’ discipline this week, he said he wanted to change the narrative to make it about what Wade had done to earn the starting role.

“Shaun had a great week of practice, and Shaun played really well,” Pellegrino said. “And Shaun did his job. I think the narrative should be more pushed towards what did Shaun do right to earn that opportunity. Because Shaun has done a lot of great things here for us in this past year and is a different player than what he has been in the past. So, my hat’s off to Shaun. He did all of the right things. He got what he deserved.”

Head coach Bill Belichick echoed those sentiments when asked about Wade on Wednesday.

“He’s strung together a couple good weeks,” Belichick said. “So, we’ll see. Every week’s its own week. Every week’s a new week, so I don’t know. But, yeah, it’s trending the right way.”

Belichick said Wade has been “taking advantage of his opportunities” and that his performance in games has been “worthy of more opportunities.”

Wade believes he started Sunday’s game because of his play throughout the week.

“Oh yeah, I definitely feel like it’s performing in practice,” he said “I feel like I’m gaining the coaches’ trust recently.”

The former Buckeye has played 162 defensive snaps this season. He’s allowed 13 catches on 18 targets for 168 yards, per PFF.

He said he’s comfortable playing safety, in the slot or at outside cornerback in the Patriots’ defense.

The Colts’ top wide receivers are impending free agent Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Josh Downs, who missed Week 9 with a knee injury. Neither matchup would be an easy one for Wade.