The Patriots may need to lean on Efton Chism III a lot sooner than planned.
Mack Hollins left Sunday’s game with a calf injury, and while New England is still waiting on a clearer read on the severity, Mike Vrabel is already bracing for the possibility that the veteran receiver could miss time.
“I think we’ll probably know more here in a little bit,” Vrabel said Monday morning. “I don’t know if he’ll be able to practice here for a couple days.
But again, I don’t have every detail. I’ll get in there with [the training staff] afterwards and kinda see where we are, and make sure we have guys that are ready to go and everybody is preparing as a starter.
We know the energy that Mack brings. The next guy has to be ready to go.”
That “next guy” may be Chism, who was pushed into a season-high 34 offensive snaps in Hollins’ place and delivered right away. He finished with two catches for 42 yards and the game-winning touchdown, turning a bigger workload into the kind of production coaches notice fast.
Vrabel made it clear that kind of outing can change a player’s standing.
“Of course. That’s what happens.
Guys continue to take advantage of their opportunities, they get more opportunities,” Vrabel said. “We’ve been finding ways to work Chiz in there previously.
It’s a balance, but certainly did a lot of things well and I know that he’ll continue to do things well for us and continue to know a bunch of different spots.”
New England’s depth chart is already thin. A.J. Brown remains on injured reserve through at least next week, and if Hollins is out too, the Patriots would be left with Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Chism on the active roster.
The practice squad options include undrafted rookies Cameron Dorner and Kyle Dixon, along with Chandler Brayboy.
“Sure. Anybody that can help us, we’ll go exploring here shortly,” Vrabel said.
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Cornerback Max Hairston reportedly left the locker room without speaking to reporters, and CJ Gardner-Johnson added another layer with dismissive comments about Efton Chism, calling him a practice-squad player even though Chism is on New Englands 53-man roster. For the Patriots, it was the kind of extra bulletin-board material that can linger well beyond one afternoon, and it offered another reminder that statement wins do not always end when the clock hits zero. [Read more 🡒]
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Mike Vrabels sideline miscue was not even the days most jarring officiating flashpoint, either. A separate viral moment showed an official caught using profanities toward Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, and the NFL is now reviewing that incident, leaving one more unwanted headline in a week already full of them. [Read more 🡒]