The New England Patriots will close the book on their regular season against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon, and they will do so with some reinforcements coming their way . While the headline names
are left tackle Will Campbell and defensive tackle Milton Williams, they are not the only starters to return: wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is also back after a one-week absence while in concussion protocol.
With Boutte back in the mix, the Patriots’ wide receiver group again sees some changes. Last week, it had to adapt to losing both him and Mack Hollins by giving extended opportunities to rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism; the former mostly filled Boutte’s role, with the latter getting many of Hollins’ responsibilities.
Conventional wisdom would therefore suggest that the Patriots will limited Williams’ workload again with Boutte back. However, time will tell how they will handle their receiver usage against the Dolphins.
New England’s full game day roster versus Miami looks as follows:
Patriots game day roster: Week 18 vs. Dolphins
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye (10), Joshua Dobbs (11)
Running back (4): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), TreVeyon Henderson (32), D’Ernest Johnson (34 | KR), Jack Westover (37 | FB/TE)
Wide receiver (5): Kayshon Boutte (9), Stefon Diggs (8), Kyle Williams (18), DeMario Douglas (3), Efton Chism III (86)
Tight end (3): Hunter Henry (85), Austin Hooper (81), C.J. Dippre (82)
Offensive tackle (4): Will Campbell (66 | LT), Morgan Moses (76 | RT), Vederian Lowe (59), Thayer Munford Jr. (74)
Interior offensive line (4): Ben Brown (77 | LG), Garrett Bradbury (65 | C), Mike Onwenu (71 | RG), Ben Brown (77), Brenden Jaimes (61 | PS elevation)
Interior defensive line (5): Milton Williams (97), Christian Barmore (90), Cory Durden (94), Eric Gregory (55), Leonard Taylor III (93 | PS elevation)
Defensive edge (4): K’Lavon Chaisson (44), Anfernee Jennings (33), Elijah Ponder (91), Bradyn Swinson (43)
Linebacker (5): Jack Gibbens (51), Christian Elliss (53), Jahlani Tavai (48), Marte Mapu (15), Chad Muma (49)
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez (0), Carlton Davis III (7), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Charles Woods (22), Kobee Minor (19)
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 aforementioned Will Campbell returning gives the Patriots five offensive tackles on their 53-man roster, and a decision about how many to deactivate. Versus the Dolphins, that answer is one: rookie Marcus Bryant is the only OT deemed inactive, with Vederian Lowe and Thayer Munford Jr. both remaining on. the game day roster as backups.
At defensive tackle, meanwhile, Milton Williams is set to resume his starting role alongside Christian Barmore. The third spot in the rotation typically filled by Khyiris Tonga will again be shared by the likes of Cory Durden, Eric Gregory and practice squad elevation Leonard Taylor.
Patriots reserves
Inactives (7): QB Tommy DeVito (16), OT Marcus Bryant (52), LG Jared Wilson (58), OL Caedan Wallace (70), DT Khyiris Tonga (95), ED Harold Landry III (2), LB Robert Spillane (14)
Practice squad (14): RB Elijah Mitchell (45), WR John Jiles (83), WR Jeremiah Webb (29), WR Brandon Smith (80), TE Marshall Lang (84), OL Andrew Rupcich (67), OL Mehki Butler (63), DT Fabien Lovett Sr. (96), LB Amari Gainer (99), LB Otis Reese (54), CB Miles Battle (35), 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 (11): 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, CB Alex Austin (IR-R), RB Terrell Jennings, DT Joshua Farmer, WR Mack Hollins
Reserve/retired (1): OL Wes Schweitzer
The Patriots’ injured reserve list saw some changes since last week, with the aforementioned Will Campbell and Milton Williams both returning to the active roster. In addition, cornerback Alex Austin was back at practice to open his 21-day window to be brought back onto the 53-man team as well.
The Patriots’ game against the Dolphins will kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium.
