New England will play without 4 starters vs. Jets

The New England Patriots are going to be shorthanded going into Thursday’s primetime matchup in opposition to the New York Jets. 

The staff introduced on Wednesday afternoon that 4 starters have been dominated out of that bout in opposition to New York at Gillette Stadium: working again Rhamondre Stevenson (toe), huge receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), tight finish Austin Hooper (concussion), and linebacker Christian Elliss (hip).

As well as, the Patriots have two gamers listed as questionable for Thursday Night time Soccer: working again Terrell Jennings (knee) and defensive deal with Joshua Farmer (ankle). 

New England’s running-back corps is about to be skinny on Thursday, particularly if Jennings is hampered. Stevenson will now miss three straight video games resulting from his toe harm, prompting a better function for rookie TreVeyon Henderson transferring ahead.

Henderson answered the decision throughout Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers, with the 2025 second-round choose dashing for 147 yards and two touchdowns. However Henderson was additionally listed on the harm report this week with a knee situation, which may sap a few of his explosiveness if referred to as upon. 

If Jennings is both dominated out or ineffective, New England does have three working backs on their follow squad — D’Ernest Johnson, Jonathan Ward, and Rushawn Baker.

It will mark the second sport in a row that Elliss has missed resulting from that hip harm, though Jack Gibbens stepped up in elevated snaps with a 10-tackle efficiency in opposition to the Bucs.

With Hooper dominated out, Hunter Henry is the one tight finish on New England’s energetic roster, though fullback Jack Westover has some expertise at tight finish. 

Boutte has been Drake Maye’s most-effective deep risk this season — with the LSU product reeling in 23 catches for 431 yards and 5 touchdowns up to now this season.

Even with Boutte sidelined final week in Tampa, Maye nonetheless was in a position to generate explosive performs by concentrating on wideouts Mack Hollins (six catches, 106 yards) and rookie Kyle Williams (one catch, 72-yard landing). 

A Jets staff that already dealt away star gamers in Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams on the commerce deadline was additionally dealt one other setback on Wednesday — as New York additionally downgraded huge receiver Garrett Wilson to out resulting from a knee harm. 

Wilson has been one of many few brilliant spots on a listless Jets offense, recording 36 catches for 395 yards and 4 touchdowns up to now this season. 

Right here’s a have a look at the Patriots’ harm reviews: 

OUT

WR Kayshon Boutte, Hamstring

LB Christian Elliss, Hip

TE Austin Hooper, Concussion,  

RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Toe

QUESTIONABLE

DL Joshua Farmer, Ankle 

RB Terrell Jennings, Knee

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Purple Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.