FOXBOROUGH, Mass — The New England Patriots got a bit of time to enjoy their hard-fought win over the Buffalo Bills, but now it's time to get back to work.
Preparation is underway as the Patriots will host the Las Vegas Raiders in a Sunday afternoon matchup that is expected to be tough on all levels, as the Raiders have started the season strong.
Here's what I'm hearing at Gillette Stadium today:
Key Players remain sidelined
Before practice, head coach Mike Vrabel was asked to provide a few injury updates on key players, beginning with two who were injured in Sunday's win over the Bills. Wide receiver Mack Hollins departed the field early with a calf injury, while Rhamondre Stevenson, who appeared to get injured late in the game, is out with an undisclosed injury.
However,
when asked if there's a chance Stevenson could play this weekend, Vrabel isn't ruling anything out.
"There’s a chance he can play," he said. "There’s just no chance that he’ll practice today."
As for Hollins, he spoke at his locker briefly before practice, even though he wasn't heading out, and seemed optimistic about his chances of playing as well.
"I hope so. That's the goal," he stated, before emphasizing that it's a decision between him and the training staff. "That's why we have them because I think as players we'd go out there no matter what."
As for the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots got back one of the players who missed Sunday's game, Christian Barmore, but star cornerback Christian Gonzalez did not practice.
Other practice absences included cornerback Carlton Davis, cornerback Karon Prunty, cornerback Channing Canada, fullback Reggie Gilliam, and offensive tackle Morgan Moses.
Drake Maye named AFC Offensive Player of the Week
Following his performance in the win over the Bills, Drake Maye was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
“It’s great. It’s great to see him be recognized for his performance and helping us win,” Vrabel said. “I want us to win those awards every single week, whether that’s Drake or anybody on offense or the performances that we could have on defense or special teams.”
Maye finished the game completing 22-of-37 passes for 269 yards with three passing touchdowns, as well as leading the team with 54 rushing yards. This came after he struggled in the team's first three games. So, was there anything different he did last week?
“I’m trying to keep the same mindset when things don’t go well of next week and trying to bounce back from it and also from this week when you ride the rollercoaster,” Maye explained. “Every week is a new week in this league and every team is different… You’ve got to play good football to end up on the right side of the things.”
Efton Chism responds to C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Following the win, Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson made headlines with his postgame comments in which he referred to Efton Chism as a practice squad player who the NFL won't hear from again.
On Wednesday, Chism got his chance to respond, but instead took the high road.
“He’s a great player. They’re a great team,” Chism said. “I got a bunch of respect for him, but, you know, we’re excited for this week. I look forward to the Raiders.”
Preparing for Raiders tight ends
With the preparation for the Raiders, comes planning for three key players who certainly make an impact. That starts with the tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer, who play a large part in Las Vegas' offense.
"Yeah, I can’t say enough about them," Vrabel highlighted. "Really, Brock is a receiver; that’s impressive. What he does at his size, the speed, the route craft, and being able to catch at the catch point. He’s like a big slot receiver. He has downfield speed, he runs outward breaking routes, he runs routes like a receiver, but then also he’s got the ability to double guys up inside.
"I think that Mike has really turned into a complete tight end, and everything that I think people that looked at him coming out of the draft envisioned. The ability to play at the line of scrimmage, the ability to block, but also be able to excel in the pass game."
Patriots safety Kevin Byard also highlighted what the secondary will have to do to keep these two at bay.
“I think it’s going to be a little bit different because their two tight ends have like maybe 50% of the target share,” Byard said. “So they’re going to get the ball. Obviously, they’re both going to use them a little different. Brock, I was more down the field, but you know, Mayer is more like the underneath check downs, underneath routes and stuff like that.
“I think we’ve done a good job up to this point, but this is going to be probably the biggest challenge up to this point as far as us because because of how much they use their tight ends.”
And of course Maxx Crosby
On the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders have a true game-changer in defensive tackle Maxx Crosby. In his last game, Crosby recorded three tackles and 0.5 sack against a tough Chiefs team. And he'll be looking to keep that momentum going.
"Maxx will go wherever he wants to go, and he will do whatever he wants to do, and it’s worked out really, really well," Vrabel said. "I have a lot of respect for Maxx Crosby as a person and also as a player. So, we’ll have to know where he is on every single play. It’s been impressive... So, they’ve really come together and gelled well together, and we will have to know where Maxx is, certainly, to start every play."
Celebrating the 2001 team
"I’ll see those guys for a quick dinner. But it’s exciting that there are so many guys that want to come back, and it was a special year for everybody involved."
Injury report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
- CB Carlton Davis III - Neck
- CB Christian Gonzalez - Shoulder
- WR Mack Hollins - Calf
- CB Karon Prunty - Hamstring
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
- DT Christian Barmore - Shoulder
- CB Channing Canada - Hamstring
- LB Christian Elliss - Chest
- FB Reggie Gilliam - Ankle/Knee
- LB Dre'Mont Jones - Shoulder
- OT Morgan Moses - Foot
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson - Knee
- CB Charles Woods - Shoulder
- S Craig Woodson - Shoulder
FULL PARTICIPATION
- QB Drake Maye - Right Shoulder
- S Brenden Schooler - Back*
Other notes
- The Patriots have two open spots on the 53-man roster, so they could start someone from injured reserve. However, Vrabel said that "with the uncertainty here, that probably won’t happen. I wouldn’t anticipate that happening. Those guys have all worked really hard to get back, and it’s just where the situation is with the roster and trying to figure out what we need to do. So, we’ll probably not start those guys practicing."
- A.J. Brown will be eligible to return next week from injured reserve, so does Mike Vrabel think he'll be ready to go? "I can only speak to what I know for today."
- Mike Vrabel said he anticipates Ben Brown remaining as the starter at right guard.
- Mike Vrabel on Kyle Williams: "I think he continues to improve, and sometimes it’s hard to hear that or believe that when you have to be able to see the football and to be able to get it. He has helped us out on the kickoff returns. I would’ve liked for us to have thrown a better ball to him down in the end zone, but that didn’t happen. I would say that he’s committed to working and improving and understanding more than one spot, and we’re excited about where he’s going to go."
- Drake Maye says the offense is "just starting up the mountain" when asked if it's on the path to reaching its full potential.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: What I’m hearing at Gillette Stadium: Wednesday word (Week 5)
