Six players are ruled out for the New England Patriots against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at Gillette Stadium, including starting cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III.
Patriots Defense Faces Raiders Without Six Injured Players
Injuries shape New England’s preparations for Week 5 as the Patriots host the Raiders. On Friday, the team officially ruled out six players, with four coming directly from the cornerback group. Starters Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III lead the absences, sidelined by shoulder and neck injuries respectively.
Gonzalez sustained his shoulder injury delivering a tackle against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3 and has not practiced since. Davis has played through a neck issue over the last two weeks but remains unavailable. Backups Karon Prunty and Channing Canada are also ruled out with hamstring issues, leaving the team with limited depth at the position.
Safety Brenden Schooler was listed as a full participant with a back issue but is not yet eligible to return to game action after beginning the season on the NFI list. Starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson is officially questionable with a knee injury after being limited in practice, but he has told reporters he plans to play.
Cornerback Depth Dwindles to Marcus Jones and Charles Woods
With four cornerbacks sidelined, Patspulpit notes the available options across their 53-man roster and practice squad. Marcus Jones and Charles Woods are the remaining active roster options, though Woods carries a questionable designation due to a shoulder injury picked up in last week’s win over the Buffalo Bills.
To shore up the position, practice-squad players Kindle Vildor and Al’zillion Hamilton are expected to be elevated. The coaching staff has experimented with safety Jaylen Reed in a nickel role during practice to add flexibility against Las Vegas's passing attack.
Raiders Offense Counters With Receiver Cody White
While New England manages its defensive backfield, the Raiders arrive in Foxborough with a passing game sparked by unexpected contributions. Working with quarterback Kirk Cousins, who cheered for White during his collegiate days at Michigan State, White has secured a notable role.
“I prepare like I’m going to start and do everything the same no matter if I’m on a practice squad, active roster, no matter what my situation,” White said. “I approach football the exact same way every week and just try to stick to that so that when the opportunity does come, I’m ready.”
Cody White, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
The Raiders also deploy tight end Brock Bowers heavily, operating within an offense that features the highest rate of multi-tight-end sets in the NFL at 64 percent. Las Vegas plays the highest rate of two-plus tight end sets in the league, and Vrabel described Bowers earlier in the week as a “big receiver.”
Both Teams Deal With Offensive Personnel Shortages
Fullback Reggie Gilliam is also out with ankle and knee injuries.
New England wide receiver Chism will join a wide receiver foursome alongside Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, and Kyle Williams while Hollins and Brown remain sidelined. Brown is eligible to return in Week 6. Meanwhile, the Raiders travel without wideout Jalen Nailor, who is out with a concussion.
How will the depleted New England secondary stop the Raiders?