The New England Patriots may have found themselves in a wide receiver squeeze, but the next stretch gives two young pass-catchers a chance to grab the wheel.
With A.J. Brown out after suffering a high-ankle sprain, the Patriots are suddenly leaning on a receiver group that looks a lot different than the one that was talked up over the summer. The room now includes Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins and Efton Chism III, with Kyle Dixon, Cameron Dorner and Chandler Brayboy on the practice squad.
That creates an obvious opening for Douglas and Williams, both of whom have already shown flashes during their time in New England. Douglas was active last week against the Seahawks, finishing with five catches. Williams, meanwhile, came away without a reception.
That has to change quickly, starting with Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Williams knows exactly what he thinks he can bring.
"A lot. I mean, if I wanted to really go, I’d give you a Christmas list, for real," Williams said about what he can bring to the offense.
"But I can do a lot, man. And just when those opportunities present itself, that’s when I’ll be able to show it.
But I know I’m more than just speed."
Douglas kept it simpler, but the message was the same.
"You got to step up," Douglas said. "Go out there and ball."
Brown’s injury is a major setback for an offense that seemed built around the 29-year-old veteran. Instead, the Patriots are now facing at least the next four weeks - and reportedly the next six - without him, which means the burden shifts to whoever can handle more volume and make the most of it.
Williams said the locker room’s response is straightforward.
"Just hoping for a speedy recovery, get him back on the field, because we definitely do need him," Williams said. "But I mean, one man down is the next man up. I think that’s everybody’s mentality in every room."
Head coach Mike Vrabel also pointed to Williams as someone who could carve out a real role.
"I'm hopeful that Kyle can find a role for us and find a way to help us, using his speed and catch and run opportunities like we saw last year at times or some shot-type plays," Vrabel said Monday.
There’s at least a path for New England to survive this stretch. The Patriots will face the Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars before a road trip to the Buffalo Bills in their new stadium.
After that comes games against the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets. On paper, the team has a real chance to win four games without Brown.
But that kind of run will depend on Douglas and Williams making plays when the ball comes their way. Williams can also contribute as a kick returner, giving him another avenue to help. The raw ingredients are there: speed, opportunity and a roster that needs production now.
Douglas said he’s ready for the workload.
"It's been good to be out there," Douglas said. "I just love playing football.
I'd be out there every rep if I could. ... Last game, we got to learn from it."
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Patriots Keep Tweaking Roster Depth With Another Notable Shuffle
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