The New England Patriots have ruled out seven players for their upcoming divisional game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. The team released its most extensive injury report of the season ahead of Sunday’s matchup.
On Friday, the Patriots confirmed that outside linebacker Harold Landry III (knee), linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle), defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (foot), wide receivers Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen), left guard Jared Wilson (concussion), and defensive tackle Milton Williams (ankle) will not play. Additionally, wide receiver DeMario Douglas (hamstring), running back TreVeyon Henderson (concussion), and cornerback Charles Woods (foot) are listed as questionable.
Defensive tackle Milton Williams, despite being eligible to return from injured reserve this week, will not be activated for Sunday’s game. The Patriots have 21 days from his return to practice to activate him. Without Williams, Tonga, and rookie Joshua Farmer—who is also on injured reserve—the team will rely on Christian Barmore as a starter on the interior defensive line, with Cory Durden and Eric Gregory expected to provide support. Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and Leonard Taylor III may also be elevated from the practice squad.
Head coach Mike Vrabel commented on Williams’s progress: “Just trying to get back into it. I think he’s working hard. I would say that it’d be tough to see a lot just from the way that the practices were structured, but he’s working hard to get back, and again, it’s good to see him out there with the team. That’s just the first step of it.”
At skill positions, both Boutte and Hollins are unavailable due to injuries sustained in last week’s win over Baltimore. Douglas remains uncertain for Sunday after leaving last week’s game early with a hamstring issue. Running back TreVeyon Henderson practiced fully on Friday without a non-contact jersey; if he stays symptom-free following full football activities, he could be cleared in time for Sunday’s contest.
With several absences at wide receiver, healthy options include Stefon Diggs, Kyle Williams, and undrafted rookie Efton Chism III—who has limited experience this season. Practice squad members John Jiles, Jeremiah Webb, and Brandon Smith are available if needed.
For running backs, Rhamondre Stevenson and D’Ernest Johnson remain healthy while Elijah Mitchell and Jashaun Corbin are available from the practice squad.
On the offensive line, Jared Wilson is set to miss his third game this year because of a concussion. Ben Brown is likely to start at left guard; he has performed well in previous spot starts this season by allowing minimal pressures and no sacks.
The projected starting offensive line includes Vederain Lowe at left tackle, Ben Brown at left guard, Garrett Bradbury at center, Mike Onwenu at right guard, and Morgan Moses at right tackle.
Defensively, New England faces challenges with multiple injuries in its front seven including Spillane—whose absence has affected run defense—and Landry III who has played through injury since Week 6 but will sit out this weekend’s game.
Vrabel addressed roster management under these circumstances: With seven players ruled out and two more questionable for Sunday’s contest against the Jets—alongside typical limits on standard elevations from the practice squad—the Patriots may need additional signings or roster adjustments before kickoff.
As they prepare for playoffs with hopes of securing an AFC East title or even a top seed in their conference depending on results elsewhere this weekend—the health of key contributors remains a primary concern for New England’s coaching staff heading into Week 17.
