Patriots Injury Analysis After Bills Week 4 Win

The New England Patriots celebrated a big win against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, defeating their division rivals with a score of 29-26 to improve their record to 2-2 and build some much-needed momentum after a rough start to the season. This is the biggest takeaway from the game, but it’s not the only important development.

After all, the Patriots also suffered several injuries along the way. That said, most of them seemed like relatively minor issues and shouldn’t have a serious impact on the team’s future.

With that said, here is our weekly injury analysis after rewatching the game.

Patriots Injury Analysis: NFL Week 4

Facebook Reggie Gilliam: The Patriots guard, who was nursing a knee injury before the game, left the sideline for the locker room at the end of the first quarter. He was later announced as questionable to return with an ankle issue, but he returned to the field in the second half and immediately helped force his way through a Rhamondre Stevenson touchdown run.

ED Dre’Mont Jones: Making his comeback after a week out with a shoulder injury, Jones took some time to get back up after a miss just before the two-minute warning in the first half. However, he stayed in the game and showed no signs of being limited down the stretch.

QB Drake Maye: Although he participated fully in practice throughout the week, New England’s starting quarterback was listed on the Bills’ pre-game injury report. While he was a little slow to get up and seemed to favor his right elbow or shoulder after a pass to Roméo Doubs in the third quarter, the alarm bells naturally went off. However, there was no reason to worry. Not only did Maye stay in the game, but he ended up playing his best football of the season to lead the Patriots to victory.

WR Mack Hollins: Once again filling a starting role for the Patriots offense, Hollins suffered a non-contact calf injury following an incomplete pass to DeMario Douglas in the third period. He jumped onto the sidelines on one leg and then made his way to the locker room under his own power. He was announced as doubtful to return to the contest, but although he was not officially ruled out at any point, he never actually re-entered.

TE Eli Raridon: The rookie tight end missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury and injured his ankle during his return to the game against Buffalo. Despite receiving the “questionable return” label early in the fourth quarter, Raridon did not miss significant time: he was back on the field four offensive plays after the team’s injury announcement.

CB Charles Woods: While helping replace the injured Christian Gonzalez, Woods had to be treated by members of the Patriots’ training staff after a tackle early in the fourth quarter. Visibly upset and favoring his right arm, he headed towards the blue medical tent and was deemed doubtful to return. However, he only missed seven games with what he later called a “stinger” before returning to the competition in the next defensive series.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson: The Patriots’ starting running back limped after a charged run on the final drive of the game. He did not re-enter the competition but was later seen moving without any visible discomfort or assistance such as a walking boot or crutches.

What this means for the Patriots

The list of damaged Patriots continues to grow, with the seven aforementioned players joining three already ruled out of the contest – DT Christian Barmore, CB Christian Gonzalez, CB Channing Canada – as well as several contributors on an injured list. That said, it’s not all doom and gloom either.

To begin with, only one of the injuries sustained seemed truly serious. Mack Hollins was the only player unable to finish the game whose status is now in question, head coach Mike Vrabel also said Monday. With AJ Brown already out and ineligible to return until next week, Hollins’ calf injury puts even more pressure on a wide receiver group that already had to rely on fringe contributor Efton Chism against the Bills.

Of course, Chism rose to the occasion against Buffalo and had two big catches on the eventual game-winning drive, including a 23-yard touchdown. If Hollins was limited or unavailable this week, the second-year player is expected to see extended reps in practice and on game day.

As for the other six listed above, they all seem to have dodged bullets. This does not mean that they will not ultimately be limited in practice, but that their respective conditions do not seem to be of great variety.

Add in the fact that several players are now eligible to be activated from their respective injury lists – S Brenden Schooler (NFI), ED Harold Landry (PUP), OT Marcus Bryant (IR), LB Khalil Jacobs (IR), P Bryce Baringer (IR) – and you have a team that could once again move in a positive direction, health-wise. That said, Wednesday’s first practice of the week and subsequent injury report will give us more clues.

The Patriots will host the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.