FOXBOROUGH — The New England Patriots is trending upward after a 29-26 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday to improve to 2-2 and build momentum after a rough start, but the win came at a cost as seven players were banged up during the contest. The list keeps growing, though most of the issues appear comparatively minor heading into Week 6.
Fullback Reggie Gilliam, who entered nursing a knee injury, left for the locker room in the late first quarter with an ankle issue, was listed as questionable to return, and came back in the second period to help clear a path on a Rhamondre Stevenson touchdown run. Edge defender Dre'Mont Jones, returning after a one-week absence with a shoulder injury, was slow to get up after an incompletion just inside the first-half two-minute warning but stayed in the game without limitation. Quarterback Drake Maye, a full practice participant all week despite appearing on the injury report, was slow to get up favoring his right elbow or shoulder after a pass to Romeo Doubs in the third quarter but stayed in and played his best football of the season to lead the victory. Wide receiver Mack Hollins suffered a non-contact calf injury on an incomplete pass to DeMario Douglas in the third period, hopped to the sideline on one leg and walked to the locker room under his own power, was announced as questionable to return and never reentered. Rookie tight end Eli Raridon, who missed last week with a thigh injury, hurt his ankle versus Buffalo, was labeled questionable to return in the early fourth quarter and returned four offensive plays later. Cornerback Charles Woods, filling in for the injured Christian Gonzalez, was tended to after a tackle in the early fourth quarter while favoring his right arm, went into the blue medical tent as questionable to return and missed only seven plays due to what he later called a "stinger" before reentering on the next defensive series. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson hobbled off after a stuffed run on the final drive, did not reenter, but was seen afterward moving without visible discomfort or aids such as a walking boot or crutches.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said Monday that only one of the injuries sustained appeared to be of the serious kind, with Hollins the lone player unable to finish whose status is now in question. With A.J. Brown already out and not eligible to return until next week, Hollins' calf injury puts even more pressure on a wide receiver group that had to rely on fringe game-day contributor Efton Chism down the stretch versus the Bills. Chism rose to the occasion with two big catches on the eventual game-winning drive, including a 23-yard touchdown, and the expectation is the second-year wideout will see extended reps in practice and on game day if Hollins is limited or unavailable. The six others listed above all appear to have dodged bullets, though they could still be limited in practice. The seven join three players already ruled out for the contest — DT Christian Barmore, CB Christian Gonzalez and CB Channing Canada — plus several contributors on the injury list.
There is optimism on the horizon as multiple players are now eligible to be activated off their respective lists — S Brenden Schooler (NFI), ED Harold Landry (PUP), OT Marcus Bryant (IR), LB Khalil Jacobs (IR) and P Bryce Baringer (IR). The first practice of the week on Wednesday and the subsequent injury report will provide more clarity. New England will host the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.