The New England Patriots are entering Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins down three of their nominal top four wide receivers, plus their No. 2 running back. And while they do have some talent remaining at both positions, it would not be a surprise if the team relied heavily on another spot: tight end.
Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon have both looked very good recently, especially in the receiving department. With no A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins and TreVeyon Henderson, quarterback Drake
Maye might be looking their way even more on Sunday afternoon. He already targeted them a combined 11 times during last week’s game in Chicago, and the pair finished with 10 catches, 127 yards and a touchdown.
Team captain Henry and third-round rookie Raridon eclipsing those numbers against Miami would not be a surprise given the circumstances and the chemistry both have shown with their QB.
The Patriots’ full game day roster looks as follows.
Patriots game day roster: Week 8 vs. Dolphins
Quarterback (2): Drake Maye (10), Tommy DeVito (16)
Running back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson (38), Corey Kiner (9 | KR), Lan Larison (34)
Wide receiver (4): DeMario Douglas (3), Kyle Williams (18 | KR), Efton Chism III (86), Ryan Miller (11 | practice squad elevation)
Tight end (4): Hunter Henry (85), Eli Raridon (82), Cameron Latu (36), Tanner Arkin (84)
Offensive tackle (4): Will Campbell (66 | LT), Morgan Moses (76 | RT), Caleb Lomu (74), Dametrious Crownover (68)
Interior offensive line (4): Matt Pryor (65 | LG), Jared Wilson (55 | C), Ben Brown (77 | RG), Walter Rouse (72)
Interior defensive line (6): Milton Williams (97), Christian Barmore (90), Cory Durden (94), Joshua Farmer (92), DaQuan Jones (99), Leonard Taylor III (93)
Defensive edge (3): Dre’Mont Jones (5), Elijah Ponder (91), Gabe Jacas (50)
Linebacker (5): Robert Spillane (14), Christian Elliss (53), Darius Muasau (54), Namdi Obiazor (48), Erick Hunter (49)
Cornerback (5): Christian Gonzalez (0), Carlton Davis III (7), Marcus Jones (25 | PR), Charles Woods (22), Kindle Vildor (28)
Safety (5): Kevin Byard (31), Craig Woodson (4), Jaylen Reed (23), Brenden Schooler (41), Mike Brown (33)
Specialists (3): Andy Borregales (8 | K), Mitch Wishnowsky (19 | P/H), Julian Ashby (47 | LS)
The Patriots having only four wide receivers active against the Dolphins is not necessarily an issue. However, those four have had limited production so far.
DeMario Douglas, who projects as the top target among them, is the most established player both from a career and a season perspective. He is entering the contest with 59 career games under his belt and has caught 23 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns this year so far.
For comparison, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism and Ryan Miller have hauled in a total of 19 passes this year. Miller’s three have all come with the Dolphins.
Elsewhere on the game day roster we can see that both backup tight ends are active, as is rookie offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover. He and rookie TE Tanner Arkin have been regulars on the healthy scratch list earlier this season. The interior offensive line, which will have Ben Brown back, will also be an area to watch.
Patriots reserves
Inactives (6): QB3 Behren Morton (15), RB TreVeyon Henderson (32), WR A.J. Brown (1), CB Channing Canada (29), CB Karon Prunty (21), Elliott Davison (27)
Practice squad (16): WR Kyle Dixon (83), WR Cameron Dorner (88), WR Chandler Brayboy (81), TE Tanner Conner (80), OT Lorenz Metz (61 | exempt), OL Jake Kubas (63), OL Xavier Newman-Johnson (64), OL Andrew Rupcich (67), DT Eric Gregory (95), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), ED Jose Ramirez (43), ED Xavier Holmes (58), ED Benton Whitley (42), LB K.J. Britt (35), CB Al’zillion Hamilton (26)
Practice squad (16): WR Kyle Dixon (83), WR Cameron Dorner (88), WR Chandler Brayboy (81), WR Ryan Miller (11), TE Tanner Conner (80), OT Lorenz Metz (61 | exempt), OL Jake Kubas (63), OL Xavier Newman-Johnson (64), OL Andrew Rupcich (67), DT Eric Gregory (95), DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. (98), ED Jose Ramirez (43), ED Xavier Holmes (58), ED Benton Whitley (42), LB K.J. Britt (35), CB Al’zillion Hamilton (26)
PUP/reserve (1): ED Harold Landry (2)
New England’s reserve lists saw some changes this week. Besides running back Lan Larison being signed to the active roster, punter Bryce Baringer, who had played in every game over the last three seasons, was released off injured reserve.
The Patriots’ Week 8 game against the Dolphins will be kicked off at 4:25 p.m. ET at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
