Only one player ruled out for Sunday’s Patriots-Dolphins matchup
Leading up to their Week 8 matchup on Sunday, both the Patriots and Dolphins have had key players with statuses for the game in doubt and listed on the injury report. With the final reports on Friday though, it looks like both teams could be near full-go.
Between the two teams, Patriots tackle Calvin Anderson (illness) was the only player ruled out for the game. Anderson also missed significant time in the summer with an illness, but Bill Belichick stated Friday morning that the two are unrelated.
READ MORE:
—Keys to a Patriots win on Sunday
—Week 8 Patriots Mailbag
—What should the Patriots’ wide receiver rotation look like this week?
In total eight players are questionable for the Patriots this week. That list includes tackle Trent Brown (ankle/knee), defensive tackle Christian Barmore (knee), linebacker Josh Uche (ankle/toe), and cornerback Jonathan Jones (knee).
The Patriots also removed four players from the injury report on Friday. Running back/wide receiver Ty Montgomery (not injury related/personal), tight end Hunter Henry (ankle), guard Cole Strange (knee), and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (ankle) are no longer listed. Henry’s removal stands out, as he looked to be battling through an injury and has a decreased workload last week.
As for Miami, nine players are listed as questionable. There are multiple starters in that group including running back Raheem Mostert (ankle), center Connor Williams (groin), cornerbacks Xavien Howard (groin) and Jalen Ramsey (knee), and safety Jevon Holland (concussion). Five players were removed from the report including wide receiver Tyreek Hill (hip), despite reports earlier this week he wouldn’t be able to play.
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Bill Belichick offers explanation of Kayshon Boutte's absence from wide receiver rotation
Kendrick Bourne
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: Kendrick Bourne #84 of the New England Patriots runs after a catch during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
2023 stats: 7 games, 51 targets, 34 catches, 370 yards, 3 TDs, 14 first downs, 74.51% usage rate
Bourne leads all Patriots (not just wide receivers) in just about every major statistical category through seven games. In particular his ability after the catch has stood out, and he ranks 22nd in the NFL in yards after the catch. He is and should continue to be the team’s ‘No. 1 receiver’ in terms of gameplan and usage.
DeVante Parker
Sep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots receiver DeVante Parker (1) catches a pass during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
2023 stats: 6 games, 23 targets, 14 catches, 144 yards, 6 first downs, 67.47% usage rate (80.2% in games played)
As mentioned above, Parker’s usage has dipped in each of the last two weeks after a drop and half-run route in key moments against the Raiders. There are still spots where the Patriots can make use of his size (6-foot-3, 215) and strength but it may make more sense for the team to dictate his usage situationally, while prioritizing having speeding yards-creators on the field.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) tries to get by a tackle from Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
2023 stats: 5 games, 25 targets, 14 catches, 86 yards, 4 first downs, 42.42% usage rate (58% in games played)
Signed to replace Jakobi Meyers as the team’s sticks-moving slot receiver, Smith-Shuster has failed to live up to preseason predictions. His impact has been minimal he hasn’t shown the same burst or quickness he did in Kansas City. Smith-Schuster has missed the last two games with a concussion but when he does return, it’s hard to project his place in the offense. Right now, he doesn’t really bring any specific skillset to the table that the team can’t get from other receivers on the roster.
Demario Douglas
Oct 22, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas (81) runs with the ball during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
2023 stats: 6 games, 23 targets, 14 catches, 197 yards, 9 first downs, 25.93% usage rate (30% in games played)
Early on, Douglas looks like a potential sixth-round steal. His combination of route-running ability and natural quickness have made him a chess piece for Bill O’Brien schematically and handful for opposing defenses on gameday. The team seems to be past his Week 2 fumble as he played a season-high in snaps last week. He’s still working through some rookie growing pains in terms of seeing the field, but last week’s role (second-most involved wide receiver behind Bourne) still feels much more appropriate for him than how the team was using him early in the season.
Kayson Boutte
Aug. 19, 2023: New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte runs past Green Bay Packers safety Anthony Johnson Jr. (36) after catching a pass to score a touchdown at Lambeau Field. (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports)
2023 stats: 1 game, 4 targets, 12.09 % usage rate (69% in games played)
Boutte played a featured role in Week 1, but hasn’t seen the field since. Is there a lack of trust after he failed to get a second foot down in bounds on a key play in the opener? Has he struggled too much in practice? Is he hurt? All the above? Whatever the reason, it doesn’t seem like his status will change in the near future, pending injury.
Ty Montgomery
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Ty Montgomery II (14) runs after making a catch during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
2023 stats: 7 games, 9 targets, 4 catches, 23 yards, 2 first downs, 6.59% usage rate
Although he spent most of the summer working with the running backs before getting hurt, the few times the Patriots have played Montgomery on offense it’s been at wide receiver. That’s mainly come as a gadget player or when the roster is battling injuries. With the inconsistent nature of his playing time, there’s been a few costly or near-costly instances where he hasn’t seemed to be on the same page with Mac Jones. The best path for him to contribute on offense is still probably as a passing-down running back, but wherever he’s lined up on the field he brings speed.
Tyquan Thornton
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 22: Tyquan Thornton #11 of the New England Patriots carries the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
2023 stats: 2 games, 3 targets, 2 catches, 8 yards, 6.15% usage rate (23% in games played)
Despite being the 50th overall pick last spring, Thornton looks like the odd man out of the Patriots’ wide receiver rotation right now. Coming into the season he was supposed to be the player that added a speed element to the group, but as he missed time on IR to start the year that box was checked by Douglas – and now possibly Reagor as well. Last week he played just three offensive snaps – all in the first half. One of those included a designed touch. That kind of limited, gadget role may very well be what’s in store for Thornton for the immediate future.
