“RB Rhamondre Stevenson (knee) and DT Christian Barmore (shoulder) are both expected to play for New England, source says,” ESPN’s Ian Rapoport revealed on X. A significant boost for New England’s backfield.

Drake Maye’s ground attack features Stevenson as the team’s primary running back. Behind him on the depth chart are TreVeyon Henderson and Corey Kiner.

What injury is Stevenson dealing with?

Rhamondre Stevenson gave Patriots fans and fantasy managers a brief scare late in Week 4 during New England’s win over the Buffalo Bills. On his final carry while trying to help run out the clock, he got tackled awkwardly and had his right leg bent underneath him, limping off the field with a knee tweak.

Fortunately, it ended up being a minor issue—after being limited in practice earlier in the week and carrying a questionable tag, Stevenson confirmed he’s “feeling great”.

Stevenson’s stats this season

Through four games in 2026, Rhamondre Stevenson has been operating as New England’s clear lead back, putting up 163 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 44 carries (averaging 3.7 yards per attempt). He’s also remained a steady safety valve in the passing game, adding 12 receptions on 16 targets for 90 yards.

While his workload has been a bit up and down—peaking at 18 carries in Week 1 against Seattle and bouncing back in Week 4 with 47 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo—he continues to carry the load as the Patriots’ primary dual-threat option out of the backfield.

Key takeaways

• Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to play for New England against Las Vegas.
• Rhamondre Stevenson suffered a minor knee tweak during Week 4 against Buffalo.
• Rhamondre Stevenson has recorded 163 rushing yards and one touchdown on 44 carries.

“Ashton Jeanty is a go,” Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network confirmed the Raiders’ running back has been cleared to play the Patriots in Week 5 of the 2026 NFL campaign. According to the NFL’s Injury Report statuses, Jeanty was dealing with a hamstring injury. Other reports point towards ankle and foot injuries. Either way, the health concerns were threatening to sideline him, but he pushed through.

With the Raiders coming off their first loss of the year, and the Patriots having defeated the Buffalo Bills last week, whether Jeanty played or not could have determined the trajectory of the game in Foxborough.

Gearing up for Week 5 in Mass., Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak had an encouraging statement about Jeanty’s status, though the team’s updates told a different story. According to Kubiak, Jeanty will “do his best to go”, and he did just that. New England will have to figure out a way to contain the dual-threat tail back.

Jeanty’s week of practice

Although he turned things around, Jeanty had been on a downward spiral. Following the injuries sustained in the grueling Week 4 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs, Jeanty was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

However, he was downgraded to a limited role the next day before being completely sidelined in Las Vegas’ last practice on Friday. The fact Jeanty wasn’t listed as out in the final injury report before gameday was an encouraging note and one that the running back built on.

Clearly, anything can happen, especially when the resilience of a competitor like Jeanty is at stake. In a crucial battle to keep the good times rolling in Vegas, Jeanty won’t miss the action. However, the bigger picture can’t be lost sight of, either.

Raiders make RB move just in case

“With Ashton Jeanty questionable because of foot and ankle injuries, the Raiders elevated RB Roman Hemby,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on his X account.

Calling up another running back to the active roster might be a clear indication of how concerned Las Vegas was about Jeanty’s health. Still, even if Jeanty didn’t play, Hemby would not have had much of a role. Instead, rookie out of Arkansas Mike Washington Jr. was always expected to be the No. 1 backfield option should the Boise State icon have been ruled out.

Key takeaways

• Ashton Jeanty is active for the Las Vegas Raiders’ Week 5 game against New England.
• Klint Kubiak noted Jeanty would try his best to play despite missing Friday’s practice.
• Las Vegas elevated Roman Hemby to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

Hollins is suffering from a calf injury. Now, he joins AJ Brown as the wideouts placed on IR. However, Brown is close to returning. Still, he won’t be featured against the Raiders.

Brown, who is on IR after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 1, could return in Week 6. Still, for Week 5 where the Patriots face off against the Las Vegas Raiders, New England will be short of two of their best wideouts.

Patriots WR depth chart vs Raiders in Week 5

The Patriots will have to deal with third-stringers and lesser receivers as they hope to get a second win in a row and gain some momentum. The Raiders actually beat the Patriots last season, so it’s also revenge time. This is their WR depth chart for the game:

• Romeo Doubs (Starting X-Receiver)
• Efton Chism III (Expected starter at the Z-Receiver role in place of Hollins)
• DeMario Douglas (Starting Slot Receiver)
• Kyle Williams (Backup / Rotational Receive)

The Patriots have a hidden gem at WR

The New England Patriots have an underutilized yet talented wideout in Efton Chism III. Chism became a cult hero last week by making an outstanding game-winning touchdown grab.

Chism is one of those wideouts that usually thrive under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He is a small, route-prolific receiver. He has already drawn comparisons to Patriots’ greats Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, and Julian Edelman.

Key takeaways

• Mack Hollins was placed on IR due to a calf injury, ruling him out for at least four games.
• A.J. Brown remains sidelined on IR with a high-ankle sprain but could return in Week 6.
• Efton Chism III will start at Z-receiver against Las Vegas after catching a game-winning touchdown.

Brown suffered the injury in the third quarter of the Patriots’ 13-10 loss to Seattle, ending his first game with New England after the team acquired him during the offseason. He finished the game with three catches for 26 yards before being forced out with the ankle injury.

His absence is a major blow for an offense led by Drake Maye. Brown was expected to give the Patriots a true No. 1 receiver and another major weapon for Maye, but the young quarterback will now have to operate without one of New England’s most important offensive players.

When will A.J. Brown return with Patriots?

A.J. Brown is expected to miss at least four games after the Patriots placed him on injured reserve. That rules him out against the Steelers in Week 2, as well as New England’s next three games against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders.

The earliest Brown can return is Week 6 against the New York Jets, although the latest reporting indicates his high ankle sprain is expected to keep him out for around six weeks. That means the Patriots could potentially be without their star receiver for a significant portion of the early season.

Until Brown returns, the pressure will increase on Maye and the rest of New England’s receiving corps. Players such as Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Romeo Doubs and Demario Douglas will have to take on larger roles as the Patriots try to replace the production and impact Brown was expected to provide.

For New England, Brown’s absence creates an immediate challenge at the start of the season. The Patriots will have to find ways to keep the offense productive without their top offseason addition, while Brown works his way back from the ankle injury with a potential Week 6 return now on the calendar.

The Steelers receiver appeared on the injury report Wednesday as a limited participant before missing practice Thursday and Friday. Pittsburgh ultimately decided not to risk putting him on the field, leaving Aaron Rodgers without one of the team’s most important offensive weapons against New England.

Pittman’s absence is particularly significant because he made an immediate impact in his Steelers debut against the Atlanta Falcons, catching all three of his targets for 58 yards. His presence was expected to give Pittsburgh a reliable No. 2 receiver alongside DK Metcalf and prevent defenses from focusing too heavily on the team’s top target.

Who is Steelers WR2?

Michael Pittman’s absence could bring back some bad memories from 2025, when Pittsburgh struggled at times to find enough reliable production behind its top wide receiver. Without Pittman available, the Patriots can devote more attention to Metcalf, potentially creating more double-coverage situations for Pittsburgh’s primary weapon.

That puts additional responsibility on Roman Wilson and rookie Germie Bernard. Wilson already saw six targets in the season opener, while Bernard played only three offensive snaps against Atlanta. The second-round pick is now expected to see a much larger role, giving Rodgers another young receiver who will need to step up against New England.

The tight ends could also become particularly important. Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington give Rodgers two additional options who can work underneath and over the middle, potentially helping Pittsburgh counter extra attention on Metcalf while taking some pressure off Wilson and Bernard. Pittsburgh could also lean more heavily on multiple-tight-end formations with Pittman unavailable.

For the Steelers, the challenge will be finding enough ways to keep the passing game balanced without their No. 2 receiver. Pittman’s absence could force Metcalf to deal with more defensive attention, while Wilson, Bernard, Freiermuth and Washington could all have bigger roles as Pittsburgh looks to keep Rodgers’ offense productive against the Patriots.

Pittman had been listed as questionable after being limited in Wednesday’s practice before missing Thursday and Friday. The Steelers ultimately decided not to risk putting him on the field, making his absence official less than 24 hours before kickoff.

The timing is notable because Pittman made an immediate impact in his Steelers debut against the Atlanta Falcons. He caught all three of his targets for 58 yards, including two explosive receptions, and now Pittsburgh will have to adjust its receiver rotation against New England.

Steelers WR depth chart for game vs. Patriots

With Pittman unavailable, DK Metcalf remains the Steelers’ No. 1 wide receiver and should be one of the central pieces of the passing game. Metcalf saw 10 targets against Atlanta despite finishing with four catches for 40 yards, so Pittman’s absence could create another opportunity for Rodgers to lean heavily on him.

Roman Wilson is also expected to have an important role after putting together a solid performance against the Falcons. The young receiver was ahead of Germie Bernard in Pittsburgh’s receiver rotation entering the season, while Bernard had only three offensive snaps in his NFL debut.

Bernard could nevertheless become one of the most interesting players to watch against the Patriots. The rookie was listed behind Pittman on Pittsburgh’s depth chart, meaning his role could increase significantly with the veteran sidelined. The Steelers can also lean more heavily on their tight ends, but replacing Pittman’s presence on the outside will require contributions from the younger receivers.

Pittman’s absence is therefore a significant change for Pittsburgh heading into its second game of the season. The Steelers acquired him during the offseason to complement Metcalf, and his efficient debut showed what he could bring to the offense. Now, Metcalf, Wilson and Bernard will have to help fill the void against New England.

“I think there [were] plays out there to be made,” Maye said on WEEI. “I think we had plays in the run game, plays in the passing game, where we had opportunities to make big plays. And in this league, we feel last week, the way we approached it, was a good plan.

“We were ahead on the score, and then … [in] the fourth quarter, still had a chance to win the game and send it to overtime at the worst. I’ve got to be better, and I will be better going forward.”

The NFL offers a quick chance to bounce back, and that’s something Maye is well aware of: “We’re on to Pittsburgh. We’ve got another week, another chance in this league, and that’s dealing with the ups and downs in this league. That’s part of it — playing the National Football League.”

Areas for improvement for Maye

Drake Maye clearly demonstrated his ceiling during the 10-13 loss in Seattle, completing 23 of 33 passes (69.7%) for 178 yards and a touchdown, while adding 47 rushing yards on 7 carries. However, the performance underscored critical areas requiring immediate refinement.

After an efficient opening three quarters, his execution faltered in the fourth, where he took 3 sacks and threw 3 interceptions that severely dragged his passer rating down to 54.9. Moving forward, his main focus must be improving decision-making under heavy pressure, avoiding forced throws late in games, and accelerating his pre- and post-snap reads to navigate tight pockets faster.

While his arm talent and dual-threat mobility are unquestionable, sharpening his situational awareness and ball security will be essential to converting late-game potential into victories.

Time to bounce back in New England

Maye wants to elevate his game and improve on his performance. The problem is that his next opponent has one of the AFC’s most formidable defenses, so getting the job done at Gillette Stadium will be far from easy. These are the Patriots’ upcoming games as they look to turn their season around.

• vs Pittsburgh Steelers, September 20
• at Jacksonville Jaguars, September 27
• at Buffalo Bills, October 4
• vs Las Vegas Raiders, October 11

The move comes just one day after Brown’s Patriots debut was cut short by the ankle injury. The veteran receiver caught three passes for 26 yards before leaving Wednesday’s 13-10 loss to Seattle, leaving Drake Maye and the New England offense without their biggest receiving weapon for the remainder of the game.

Adam Schefter was first to report the Patriots’ decision, providing further clarity on what had already emerged as a significant setback for Mike Vrabel’s team. Brown’s placement on IR means the Patriots cannot simply wait and see whether he is ready from week to week; he will be unavailable for a minimum of four games.

A.J. Brown will miss at least four games for Patriots

Schefter’s update was definitive about the next step for Brown and New England, with the Patriots choosing to place their new WR1 on injured reserve rather than keep him on the active roster while he recovers. “Sources: Patriots are placing wide receiver AJ Brown on injured reserve due to his high ankle sprain, sidelining him for a minimum of four games.”

The decision means Brown will miss New England’s upcoming games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders. Because an IR stint requires him to miss at least four games, Week 6 against the New York Jets is now the earliest possible opportunity for Brown to return to the field.

That is a significant blow for a Patriots offense that entered the season expecting Brown to be Drake Maye’s premier receiving weapon. New England already moved on from Stefon Diggs during the offseason, and Brown’s sudden absence leaves the team with a much thinner wide receiver group. Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins and other receivers will now be asked to absorb a much larger workload while Brown begins his recovery.

The timing could hardly be worse for New England. Brown was making his Patriots debut after arriving from Philadelphia and immediately established himself as Drake Maye’s top receiving weapon, catching three passes for 26 yards before leaving the game. He also drew a 34-yard pass interference penalty that helped set up the Patriots’ opening touchdown.

Now, the Patriots must navigate a difficult stretch without their new No. 1 receiver. Ian Rapoport delivered the update, confirming that Brown is facing an extended absence after suffering the high ankle sprain when his right ankle was caught underneath him during the loss to Seattle.

When could A.J. Brown return for the New England Patriots?

Rapoport’s exact update was clear about the initial timeline: “He had an MRI to confirm the initial diagnosis which is a high ankle sprain. A.J. Brown is expected to be out at least four weeks.”

Based on that timetable, Brown is expected to miss at least the Patriots’ next four games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders. New England’s official schedule has those matchups in Weeks 2 through 5, meaning Week 6 against the New York Jets on October 18 could emerge as a potential target for Brown’s return if his recovery progresses as hoped.

The problem for New England is that Brown’s absence comes after the team already moved on from Stefon Diggs, leaving a significantly thinner wide receiver room at the worst possible time. Romeo Doubs is now positioned to take on a much larger role, while DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams could also see increased opportunities. For an offense that struggled late against Seattle, replacing Brown’s production will be one of Mike Vrabel’s biggest challenges over the next month.

Brown’s injury came early in the third quarter of his Patriots debut. The wide receiver was targeted by Drake Maye on a low pass when Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett’s knee landed on Brown’s right ankle, causing it to twist awkwardly. Brown received medical attention before heading to the locker room for further evaluation.

There was initially plenty of concern surrounding the injury, particularly because Brown had just arrived in New England as one of the team’s biggest offseason additions. However, the Patriots received an encouraging update after the game, with early testing ruling out a fracture and providing at least some relief about the worst-case scenario.

What is A.J. Brown’s latest injury update?

A.J. Brown is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. X-rays were negative for a fracture, which is an important positive development for the Patriots, although the severity of the sprain and Brown’s eventual recovery timeline will not be known until he undergoes an MRI.

“Patriots WR AJ Brown, who left last night’s opener because of an injury, is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain. X-Rays were negative for a fracture. Brown has an MRI today to determine how much time he’ll miss.”

The initial news is therefore considerably better than what New England might have feared when Brown was unable to continue against Seattle. He was having an active debut before the injury, recording three receptions for 26 yards and drawing a 34-yard pass interference penalty that helped set up the Patriots’ opening touchdown.

Still, the MRI will be critical for determining whether Brown can return quickly or whether the Patriots will have to prepare to play without their new No. 1 receiver for multiple games. High-ankle sprains can require more recovery time than standard ankle sprains, making the upcoming evaluation particularly important for Mike Vrabel and the Patriots.

Brown was also seen leaving the stadium in a walking boot on his right foot after the game, adding another reason for the Patriots to be cautious with their star receiver.

For New England, the timing could hardly be worse. Brown was brought in to give Maye another elite weapon and help take the Patriots’ offense to another level in 2026. After losing their season opener to Seattle, the Patriots now have to wait for the MRI results before knowing how significant the setback will be. The good news is that there was no fracture, but Brown’s MRI will ultimately determine how much time he could miss.

Brown suffered an ankle injury in a catch attempt against Seattle cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. Without Brown, the Patriots must look at the rest of their wide receiver room for help against an elite defense. “Brown has now been ruled out for the remainder of tonight’s game.,” the Patriots announced.

With Brown sidelined, the Patriots will be turning to DeMario Douglas, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams. Those are all their active options to finish Week 1’s visit to the Seahawks. New England is already missing TreVeyon Henderson for Week 1, so Brown’s setback adds another dramatic layer to an already injury-riddled offense.

A.J. Brown’s numbers in Patriots debut

Needless to say, Brown didn’t have the debut he expected with the Patriots. Until he left the game with an ankle injury, Brown caught only three passes (out of four targets) for 26 yards.

Still, because the Super Bowl LX rematch between the Seahawks and Patriots was quite uneventful, Brown led his team in receiving yards while he was on the gridiron at Lumen Field. His production was nothing to write home about, though. In fact, it raised eyebrows.

For the second straight season, even on a completely different team and in a different system, Brown was practically MIA. Last year, Brown caught only one pass for eight yards in Week 1. These slow starts to the year may be becoming a common theme, and a worrisome one at that.

Brown’s contract

Brown carries a $7.04 million cap hit in the 2026 NFL season. His contract, which runs through 2030, will see its cap hit steadily rise to $10.9 million in 2027, $17.8 million in 2028, $23.6 million in 2029 and $53.5 million in 2030.

Because Brown signed the deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s expected that he and the Patriots will sit down at some point and negotiate a contract restructure. If Brown’s injury turns out to be serious, it could change everything, though.