FOXBORO — Patriots rookie vast receiver Efton Chism earned a spot on the 53-man roster this summer season with a standout coaching camp and preseason. Now he’ll have an opportunity to show himself within the common season.
With vast receivers Mack Hollins (stomach) and Kayshon Boutte (concussion) already ruled out this week, Chism must be in line to set a profession excessive in offensive snaps.
Chism has performed 24 offensive snaps this season, however he has but to be focused in a sport.
“He’s all the time ready,” head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned of Chism on Friday. “There’s laborious staff on this crew. I might say none that most likely work more durable than Efton. I’m not going to say that he’s the toughest employee, however you’d be laborious pressed to seek out gamers that work more durable than him, to be ready, to be prepared and make the most of his alternative, which it seems, by all accounts, that he’ll get alternatives.”
Chism did most of his work out of the slot this summer season. Slot receiver DeMario Douglas has additionally been restricted this week with a hamstring harm and is formally questionable to play Week 17 in opposition to the Jets.
That leaves Chism, Stefon Diggs and rookie Kyle Williams because the Patriots’ solely wholesome vast receivers. The crew additionally has John Jiles, Jeremiah Webb and Brandon Smith on their observe squad.
“I’m excited,” Chism mentioned Friday. “Been loads of work going into it with the blokes. Simply blessed to be on this room, on this group, and be part of this crew. Making an attempt to make the most of each alternative I get with this crew.”
Chism, an undrafted free agent out of Japanese Washington, has performed in six video games this season and returned 16 kicks for 383 yards, enjoying 49 complete snaps on particular groups.
He mentioned he’s continued to organize like a starter, a mantra below Vrabel, regardless of the shortage of reps on offense.
Typically, I believe, you bought that particular person in your shoulder that’s telling you, like, ‘man, the work’s not paying off or no matter it’s,’ however man, I attempt to block that off as quickly as I can, as a result of I do know when the chance comes, I’m gonna be able to go. …
“So proceed simply to maintain that mindset. And take a look at by no means to lose it, as a result of that’s the mindset that obtained me right here. So, I don’t need to ever get snug or get complacent with being right here. Simply need to keep right here so long as I can, proper?”
