Patriots downgrade wide receiver and tackle on Thursday injury report
The New England Patriots could be thin at wide receiver when they host the Los Angeles Chargers. Two players at the position missed practice on Thursday, up one from the previous day.
Both rookies Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder/illness) were listed as non-participants on Thursday. For Boutte, this was a downgrade in status after he was limited on Wednesday. Douglas missed his second day in a row, and could be trending towards being inactive this week.
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In addition to Douglas and Boutte, offensive lineman Riley Reiff (knee) also didn’t practice on Thursday. Reiff was limited on Wednesday.
The only other change to the report was the return of running back Ty Montgomery (illness). Montgomery was a full participant after missing Wednesday’s session.
Eight other players were limited for the second day in a row. That group includes running back Ezekiel Elliott (thigh), offensive linemen David Andrews (foot) and Trent Brown (ankle/chest), and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (hamstring).
There were two changes on the Chargers’ side of the injury report. Defensive back Ja’Sir Taylor (illness) missed practice, and linebacker Khalil Mack (not injury related/rest) returned to the field.
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The Patriots can officially be eliminated from playoff contention this weekend
Eliminated from playoff contention
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 12: Bill Belichick, Head Coach of the New England Patriots, looks on prior to the NFL match between Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots at Deutsche Bank Park on November 12, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
There are five scenarios this week in which the Patriots can be eliminated from playoff contention. In all five, the first two legs are the Patriots losing to the Chargers and the Steelers beating the Cardinals. After that, one of the following five things has to happen (some, of course, much more realistic than others)…
–Colts win/tie at Titans AND Browns win/tie at Rams
–Colts win/tie at Titans AND Bengals win at Jaguars AND Texans win at Broncos
–Colts win at Titans AND Bengals tie at Jaguars AND Texans win at Broncos
–Colts win at Titans AND Texans tie at Broncos
–Colts tie at Titans AND Bengals win/tie at Jaguars AND Texans tie at BroncosEliminated from AFC East contention
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 29: DeShon Elliott #21 of the Miami Dolphins attempts to tackle Rhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Even if they’re not eliminated from the playoffs outright, one of two things happening would officially guarantee the Patriots’ fourth consecutive season without an AFC East title. If the Patriots lose or tie against the Chargers, and the Dolphins beat or tie the Commanders, the Patriots can no longer win their division.
