As the Patriots wrap up practice preparations Friday afternoon at the University of Arizona for Sunday’s trip to Las Vegas, particular attention should be focused on the health status of a number of key New England offensive players.
Heading into a reunion battle with former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ Raiders, it’s looking like the Patriots’ Mac Jones-led offense could be rather undermanned.
As if New England’s offense didn’t have enough other issues, wide receivers Jakobi Meyers and DeVante Parker both missed Thursday’s practice to concussions, while running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) and tackle Isaiah Wynn (foot) were also absent.
Stevenson (58 catches) and Meyers (50) are Jones’ top two pass catchers on the season, while Parker had seen his production ticking upwards prior to being knocked out of the game early on last Monday night in Arizona after a pair of catches. Stevenson is also obviously New England’s leading rusher with 742 yards on the season.
Compounding Stevenson’s potential absence from Sunday’s game in Las Vegas is the fact that Damien Harris remains limited in practice with the thigh injury that’s sidelined him for the last two-plus games.
If Harris isn’t up to playing against the Raiders and Stevenson remains sidelined it would push rookie running backs Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris into the primary roles in the backfield. While the two each reached the end zone in Monday’s win in Arizona after Stevenson’s departure – including Strong rushing for 70 yards on just five attempts – asking them to carry the load in Las Vegas, including pass protection duties against Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, would be a tall task.
As for the receivers, if both Meyers and Parker are missing yet again, it would push Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor and rookie Tyquan Thornton into elevated roles similar to what they were asked to do in Arizona. The trio was targeted 20 times against the Cardinals, led by 10 targets for Agholor, with limited production. Agholor, in particular, failed to take advantage of the increased opportunities, catching just five of the 10 balls thrown his way for a mere 32 yards and each of the three averaged 9 yards per catch or less in the win over the Cardinals.
Across the field from the man who brought so much success to the New England offensive scheme over the years, and with the team’s leading rusher and top two receivers possibly sidelined to injury, much-maligned Patriots’ play-caller Matt Patricia, Jones and Co. face a significant challenge Sunday afternoon in Sin City.
