FOXBORO — The Patriots have already ruled out seven starters for Sunday’s game against the Jets.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel announced Friday afternoon that wide receivers Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen), left guard Jared Wilson (concussion), defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (foot), linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle) and outside linebacker Harold Landry (knee) will all be ruled out. Additionally, defensive tackle Milton Williams (ankle) will not be activated from injured reserve.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson (concussion) and wide receiver DeMario Douglas (hamstring) are questionable to play. Henderson shed his red non-contact jersey for Friday’s practice, though Vrabel said, “He’s in the (concussion) protocol until he’s not.”
Vrabel hinted that practice squad elevations and roster signings are coming. The team could use one wide receiver and two defensive tackles for Sunday’s matchup.
If Henderson can’t play on Sunday, the Patriots have Rhamondre Stevenson and D’Ernest Johnson on their 53-man roster and Elijah Mitchell and Jashaun Corbin on their practice squad. Mitchell, a former 49er and Chief, has loads of experience if the Patriots need to call on him.
Landry has been banged up since midseason. The Patriots might need to call on Anfernee Jennings or Elijah Ponder to take on a starter’s share of snaps in his potential absence. The team also has Bradyn Swinson on the 53-man roster. Linebacker Jahlani Tavai also has experience on the edge.
Spillane’s absence will continue to test the Patriots’ depth at linebacker, where they have Tavai, Christian Elliss, Jack Gibbens and Marte Mapu on the 53-man roster, and Amari Gainer and Otis Reese on the practice squad.
Rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism could take on bigger roles with Boutte and Hollins out. Williams made a brilliant touchdown catch in last week’s win over the Ravens. Chism has yet to catch his first NFL pass. Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas round out the wide receiver depth chart. The team also has Jeremiah Webb, John Jiles and newcomer Brandon Smith on the practice squad.
Without Williams and Tonga, Christian Barmore, Cory Durden and Eric Gregory are available on the 53-man roster. The team also has defensive tackles Leonard Taylor, Jeremiah Pharms and Fabien Lovett on the practice squad.
Finally, with Jared Wilson almost certaintly out, Ben Brown will likely be called on to start again this week. He was just given a two-year contract extension this week. The team also signed guard/center Brenden Jaimes off the practice squad to provide depth along with Caedan Wallace, Marcus Bryant and Thayer Munford behind Vederian Lowe, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu and Morgan Moses.