The Patriots walked out of Las Vegas with a win, but the injury report may have stolen a good chunk of the spotlight. As New England turns its attention to Sunday’s home matchup with the Jets, the roster math is getting tighter, the depth chart looks more duct-taped than assembled, and there are real questions about who can get back from injured reserve - and when.
Mike Reiss laid out the problem clearly while also looking ahead to the strategic puzzle facing the Patriots. The team has to sort through the rules on IR, figure out how many players can be designated to return, and then make some uncomfortable choices about which injured players get that chance. That backdrop matters even more with the Jets coming to town, especially since this version of New York is being described as a team that is not a bad team.
The roster churn has already started. New England signed running back Hassan Haskins and cornerback D’Shawn Jamison to the practice squad, while linebacker Jose Ramirez was released from the practice squad.
There was also some off-field recognition for a pair of Patriots greats, with Andre Tippett and Julian Edelman set for induction into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
On the football side, the focus remains on Drake Maye and an offense that has started to feel different. Chris Mason and Matt Vautour dug into what has fueled Maye’s resurgence, while Kevin Stephan raised the question of whether the quarterback’s five-touchdown performance is evidence of real greatness or simply a product of weaker opposition. Ian Glendon’s Week 6 quarterback rankings reflected the growing buzz, with Maye moving into the top 10.
The receiver situation is also part of the conversation. Kevin Stephan wrote about how A.J.
Brown’s possible return could open things up for New England’s young wideouts, while Karen Guregian noted that Brown’s pending return now feels more like a bonus than a rescue mission. Conor Orr added that with his “joy” back, Kyle Williams could be ready to become a difference-maker on offense.
There’s concern elsewhere on the depth chart too. Conor Orr pointed out the pressure now sitting on rookie Caleb Lomu after Will Campbell’s injury, quoting Lomu’s performance this way: “You didn’t really notice him a lot, so I think that’s probably a good thing.”
That injury situation is part of the larger picture around New England right now, with Michael Hurley comparing the Patriots’ health to the rest of the league. National reports added more detail, with Michael David Smith noting that Campbell is week-to-week after tests showed he avoided a major knee injury, and Josh Alper reporting that TreVeyon Henderson has a high-ankle sprain.
If the Patriots do decide they need outside help, the trade market is part of the discussion. Hector Longo examined possible targets if New England has to replace Henderson, and Kevin Stephan looked at potential trade options to reinforce a cornerback room that has thinned out. Seth Walder also revisited his preseason prediction that the Patriots would trade for an edge rusher before the deadline, but said the team is in better shape at edge rusher than he expected before the season.
There’s plenty to watch when New England lines up against the Jets. Phil Perry is already asking when A.J.
Brown should return if he’s healthy, and Doug Kyed is focused on how the Patriots can handle the running back spot without Henderson. On the other side of the matchup, the latest national notes also pointed out that Bears pass rusher Montez Sweat has been suspended two games for violating the performance-enhancing substance policy and will miss the Week 7 Thursday night game against the Patriots.
For now, the Patriots are balancing momentum with survival. The win over the Raiders gave them something to build on, but this week is about managing the bodies they have left and figuring out who can come back to help.
In Other News...
Patriots Win Still Exposed A Secondary Problem Fans Can't Ignore
The Patriots 45-17 win over the Raiders looked convincing on the scoreboard, but it also highlighted a familiar problem in the defensive backfield. Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers kept finding room against New Englands smaller defensive backs, using his size to create mismatches and finishing with a productive afternoon that underscored why the matchup was such a concern.
New England does have options if it wants to get bigger on the back end, and the conversation now turns to possible help at cornerback and beyond. Free agent Jeff Okudah and Chiefs cornerback Kristian Fulton are among the names to watch, while practice squad options like Elliott Davison and Alzillion Hamilton also give the Patriots some internal choices as they try to address a weakness that showed up even in a lopsided win. [Read more 🡒]
A.J. Browns Return Looks Even Better For Patriots Fans
A.J. Browns move to New England before the 2026 season already looked like a major addition when the Patriots brought him in, and it has only become easier to see why since then. Brown has settled into the offense smoothly, giving the Patriots the kind of established playmaker they wanted, while the conversation around the deal has only grown louder as fans and analysts continue to weigh what it means for both sides.
The contrast has been hard to miss, because the Patriots have reason to feel good about how the trade has worked out for them. Philadelphia, meanwhile, has been dealing with injuries, coaching questions and a losing record, which has made the optics of the swap look even better from New Englands perspective and kept the trade among the more talked-about moves of the young season. [Read more 🡒]
Romeo Doubs Is Giving Patriots Fans A Very Familiar Debate
Romeo Doubs has wasted little time becoming one of the more interesting names in New Englands passing game, and not always for the cleanest reasons. In his first month with the Patriots, he has flashed the kind of versatility that made the team believe he could matter right away, while also turning in stretches that have left fans wanting more from a player tied to bigger expectations.
With A.J. Brown sidelined, Doubs has been asked to handle a larger workload than the Patriots probably planned on this early, which has only sharpened the scrutiny around his play. The upside is still obvious, and his role could look different once Brown is back, but for now Doubs is in that familiar New England spot where promise, pressure and patience all seem to be colliding at once. [Read more 🡒]