Patriots rule out seven players, including three offensive linemen, for Sunday
The New England Patriots will be significantly shorthanded this week. The team has ruled out seven players for Sunday’s Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Among those seven are three offensive linemen, including two projected starters in guard Cole Strange (knee) and guard/tackle Riley Reiff (knee). Both players were limited all week. Tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (knee) was also added to the injury report as limited on Friday, and ruled out. Wheatley Jr., acquired at the end of camp in a trade for running back Pierre Strong Jr., dressed but didn’t play the first two weeks of the season, and since has been a healthy scratch the last three weeks.
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In addition to those three linemen, Mike Onwenu (ankle) and Trent Brown (chest) are both questionable. Onwenu left last week’s game early with that ankle injury, so his status is one to monitor. If he can’t go, the Patriots will likely be starting two rookies at the guard spots in Atonio Mafi and Sidy Sow. Brown played through his injury last week, despite being questionable.
The Patriots’ four other inactives were expected based on practice this week. Wide receivers Demario Douglas (concussion) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion have both been ruled out. That could open up more snaps for rookie Kayson Boutte, or potentially Tyquan Thornton (shoulder) if he’s activated from IR after being designated to return this week. Thornton is listed as questionable on the injury report.
Linebacker Matthew Judon (elbow) and Cody Davis (knee) were also ruled out. Judon is expected to be out at least into December after undergoing elbow surgery, and Davis is still on IR/designated to return.
For the remaining questionable players, Josh Uche (knee) and Kyle Dugger (foot) are the only players added from last week. The rest of the group is defensive linemen Christian Barmore (knee), Davon Godchaux (ankle), and Trey Flowers (foot, IR/designated to return), and cornerbacks Jonathan Jones (ankle) and Shaun Wade (shoulder).
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Time to have fun? Patriots vs. Raiders What To Watch For
Maxx protection
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Allegiant Stadium on October 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
The Patriots have had their issues on offense all around this year, but no spot has been more of a problem than right tackle. Vederian Lowe has taken over for Calvin Anderson. Lowe has the third-lowest pass block win rate among qualified tackles in the NFL, while Anderson has the second lowest. Change doesn’t seem to be imminent either, with Riley Reiff still limited coming off of IR and playing guard when he does get on the field.
This week, that right tackle spot will be tasked with slowing down Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby. Unlike most of the league’s top pass rushers, that line up on the blindside of the quarterback (opposite the left tackle), Crosby rushes from the right side of the offensive formation.
From that spot, Crosby, who checks in at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, has been as effective as any rusher in the league this year. He has five sacks in five games, and his 27 hurries lead the league. Crosby can also be a problem for teams trying to run the ball – PFF has him as the seventh-highest graded run defender among all front-seven players in the NFL.
How will the Patriots’ handle their opponents biggest strength going up against their biggest weakness. Help, help, and more help. Look for the Patriots to slide protection to the right side. With that though comes more urgency for Trent Brown and whoever starts at left guard (Cole Strange if he’s healthy, or rookie Atonio Mafi) to hold up one-on-one.
Another mechanic the Patriots can use is keeping an extra blocker and or blockers in on pass plays. In that sense this could be a big game for both running back Ezekiel Elliott and tight end Pharaoh Brown, who are the two best pass blocking skill position players the Patriots have. At 6-foot-6, 258 pounds, Brown could also help the team get a push in the run game, either at tight end or fullback as we’ve seen him do at times this season.
The biggest thing the Patriots can do to try and minimize Crosby’s impact though is avoid falling in an early deficit. As long as the possibilities of the run and pass are both available, Crosby will have to be disciplined in his rush. If the Patriots are in a spot where they have to be throwing on every down, Crosby can pin his ears back and wreak havoc.
Who steps up at wide receiver?
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (11) during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Both JuJu Smith-Schuster and Demario Douglas have missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practices with concussions. Less than a week removed from suffering those concussions Sunday against the Saints, that suggests they likely won’t play this week against the Raiders.
Losing both would take away the third- and fourth-most involved receivers in the Patriots’ offense, with Smith-Schuster having played 57.6 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and Douglas having played 24.2 percent. Where will those snaps go if both are out?
One clear option is for the Patriots to play more 12 or even 13 personnel, keeping extra tight ends on the field. As mentioned above, beyond running routes this could help bolster the offensive line,.
Another option is an increased role for rookie Kayshon Boutte. Boutte played 55 snaps in the Patriots’ season opener against the Eagles but didn’t record a catch on four targets, he’s been a healthy scratch since.
Then there’s Tyquan Thornton, who was designated to return from IR this week. Thornton, who missed the second half of training camp and started the season on IR due to a shoulder injury, could provide the speed the offense losses missing Douglas, and can line up in the slot where Smith-Schuster has most of the season. Look for him to handle the most of the vacated snaps this week.
The Patriots drafted Thornton 50th overall last year and are still looking for production to match that draft pick. He should have plenty of chances to show if he’s made a Year 2 jump this Sunday.
Jonathan Jones vs. Jakobi Meyers
DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 10: Damarri Mathis #27 of the Denver Broncos tackles Jakobi Meyers #16 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on September 10, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
This matchup should be a fun one. Two of the best UDFAs of the Bill Belichick era, cornerback Jonathan Jones will likely be covering wide receiver Jakobi Meyers for most of Sunday’s game.
Not only do both players know each other well from going head-to-head in practice for four years, but their skill sets match up as well. Meyers has been one of the Raiders most productive receivers this year and Jones is the Patriots top healthy cornerback, so this will be a key one-on-one.
There’s also the element of this being a ‘revenge game’ for Meyers. It would make sense for him to be extra motivated for this one. Look for Josh McDaniels to give him a chance to make plays early in the game (don’t rule out Meyers throwing a pass at some point).
