The injury bug largely spared the New England Patriots in the early parts of the season, but it decided to bite quite often as of late. A consequence is the team ruling out five starters for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, and placing another on injured reserve beforehand.
The absences naturally mean that the depth at their respective positions will be tested.
In place of wide receivers Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins (IR), the Patriots will rely on the likes of Kyle Williams and DeMario Douglas,
among others; at left guard, Ben Brown will start for Jared Wilson; the defensive tackle position usually held by Khyiris Tonga will be jointly filled by several rotational option; Harold Landry’s role as first man in the edge rotation will give players such as Anfernee Jennings and Elijah Ponder more opportunities; Robert Spillane’s absence will once again put fellow linebacker Jack Gibbens in the starting lineup.
Head coach Mike Vrabel shared a pragmatic look on the Patriots’ injury woes earlier this week.
“Everybody deals with it,” he said during a press conference on Friday. “It’s not something that’s new to the National Football League, to me or anybody else. We’ll elevate some guys, have to sign some guys and go from there.”
New England’s full game day roster against the Jets looks as follows:
Patriots game day roster: Week 17 vs. Jets
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye (10), Joshua Dobbs (11)
Running back (4): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), TreVeyon Henderson (32), D’Ernest Johnson (34), Jack Westover (37 | FB/TE)
Wide receiver (4): Stefon Diggs (8), Kyle Williams (18), DeMario Douglas (3), Efton Chism III (86 | KR)
Tight end (3): Hunter Henry (85), Austin Hooper (81), C.J. Dippre (82)
Offensive tackle (3): Vederian Lowe (59 | LT), Morgan Moses (76 | RT), Thayer Munford Jr. (74)
Interior offensive line (5): Ben Brown (77 | LG), Garrett Bradbury (65 | C), Mike Onwenu (71 | RG), Caedan Wallace (70), Brenden Jaimes (61)
Interior defensive line (5): Christian Barmore (90), Cory Durden (94), Eric Gregory (55), Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), Leonard Taylor III (93 | PS elevation)
Defensive edge (4): K’Lavon Chaisson (44), Elijah Ponder (91), Anfernee Jennings (33), Bradyn Swinson (43)
Linebacker (5): Christian Elliss (53), Jack Gibbens (51), Jahlani Tavai (48), Marte Mapu (15), Chad Muma (49)
Cornerback (6): Christian Gonzalez (0), Carlton Davis III (7), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Charles Woods (22), Miles Battle (35), Kobee Minor (19 | PS elevation)
Safety (4): Jaylinn Hawkins (21), Craig Woodson (31), Dell Pettus (24), Brenden Schooler (41)
Specialists (3): Andy Borregales (36 | K), Bryce Baringer (17 | P/H), Julian Ashby (47 | LS)
The Patriots’ injuries atop the depth chart do not just impact the top layer of backups. Others such as wide receiver Efton Chism, tight end C.J. Dippre or outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson also are in line for increased roles relative to their usual workload.
In addition, it remains to be seen how players removed from the injury report on Friday will respond to game action. Cornerback Carlton Davis, who missed the first of two practices this week with an illness, is a name to watch in that regard.
Patriots reserves
Inactives (7): QB Tommy DeVito (16), WR Kayshon Boutte (9), OT Marcus Bryant (52), LG Jared Wilson (58), DT Khyiris Tonga (95), ED Harold Landry III (2), LB Robert Spillane (14)
Practice squad (13): RB Elijah Mitchell (45), RB Jashaun Corbin (30), WR John Jiles (83), WR Jeremiah Webb (29), WR Brandon Smith (80), OL Andrew Rupcich (67), OL Mehki Butler (63), DT Fabien Lovett Sr. (96), LB Amari Gainer (99), LB Otis Reese (54), CB Brandon Crossley (46), S Richie Grant (39), S John Saunders Jr. (23)
Practice squad/injured (3): RB Craig Reynolds (49), LB Darius Harris (42), TE Thomas Odukoya (88 | IPPP)
Reserve/injured (13): FB Brock Lampe, OT Yasir Durant, CB Marcellas Dial Jr., DT Jaquelin Roy, RB Lan Larison, RB Deneric Prince, DT Isaiah Iton, RB Antonio Gibson, DT Milton Williams, CB Alex Austin, OT Will Campbell, RB Terrell Jennings, DT Joshua Farmer, WR Mack Hollins
Reserve/retired (1): OL Wes Schweitzer
Even though stalwart defensive tackle Milton Williams returned to practice earlier this week, he remains on injured reserve due to the ankle issue he sustained in the first game against the Jets. Joining him on IR is wide receiver Mack Hollins, who was sent there because of an abdomen issue on Saturday.
The Patriots’ game against the Jets will kick off at 1 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium in Baltimore.
