Patriots Who Could Rise After Their Top Receiver’s Injury
As the New England Patriots extended their win streak last Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, they now potentially head into their Week 10 matchup this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers without their top receiver in Kayshon Boutte. The 23-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during the Pats’ Week Nine victory. While he is noted to be out on a day-to-day basis, Boutte has not practiced with the team this week and could be on the verge of missing his first game of the season. So far, with 23 receptions, the Patriots’ young receiver has recorded 431 passing yards and five touchdowns. His five touchdowns currently leads all of New England’s receivers. If Boutte is out for the Patriots’ Week 10 matchup against the Bucs, who will step up and rise to the occasion in this heated battle in Tampa Bay?
DeMario Douglas
In the win over Atlanta, DeMario Douglas finished with four catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. This Week Nine performance was easily the best of Douglas’ season thus far. It’s just a matter of whether the 24-year-old can continue the momentum he’s riding. Last Saturday, Douglas’ uncle passed away, which led to DeMario having such a huge game. After the win over the Falcons, Douglas said, “He was with us. This whole morning was hard. As people came up to me, I tried to try to keep, I can’t even think. I just tried to be a man, and I just had to put my head down. I just know he was with me, and he was with Terrell, too.” If Boutte is absent from the Patriots’ receiving core this upcoming matchup, Douglas could certainly be a guy who steps up in his place.
Stefon Diggs
Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs is looking to record his third 100+ receiving yard game this season. Diggs recorded 101 yards in the Patriots’ win over the Carolina Panthers and 146 receiving yards in New England’s upset win over the Buffalo Bills. The 31-year-old receiver can certainly be the top guy for quarterback Drake Maye this week against Tampa Bay. Diggs has caught two touchdowns in the past two games and looks to be another key target again. While with Boutte on the field, Diggs becomes a sneakier, low-key target, yet even at his age, Diggs can shine just like in years past.
Hunter Henry
Tight end Hunter Henry has been one of the most consistent targets for Drake Maye this season. While his stats aren’t eye-popping, he’s done what the Patriots motto has always been, which is doing his job. During the Patriots’ Week Three loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Henry had eight receptions for 90 yards. Now in Week 10, the 30-year-old tight end could very well have his first 100+ receiving yard game of the season. Boutte’s injury could give Henry the chance of seeing the ball more often than usual.
