TAMPA, Fla. – The Patriots will lean on their young offensive players on Sunday.
With starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) and starting receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) out due to injury, the Patriots will rely on a younger group of offensive players when they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
That’ll likely mean the Patriots rely on rookie receiver Kyle Williams on Sunday. The third-round pick has been used sparingly this season, catching two passes for 20 yards. When Boutte left last weekend’s game with a hamstring injury, Williams played a career-high 31 offensive snaps. He was targeted once.
This week, Williams said he was ready to step up for the Patriots and was preparing to take on a larger role.
“You have to be consistent at the little things. I feel like that’s what got us this far,” Williams said. “For me, possibly stepping up into a huge role, that’s my big emphasis about the little details that can separate me in certain routes, certain depths, and spaces.”
Boutte has had a career year (431 yards and five touchdowns) this season for the Patriots. The offense will almost certainly rely on Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, and Mack Hollins at the receiver position as well. Undrafted rookie Efton Chism III is also active as he searches for his first NFL reception.
At running back, this will be the second straight week that rookie TreVeyon Henderson starts.
The second-round pick now leads the Patriots in rushing with 283 rushing yards. He ran for a career-high 75 yards two weeks ago against Cleveland, and ran for 55 yards last week against Atlanta.
The Stevenson injury also elevates second-year back Terrell Jennings up the depth chart. The 24-year-old ran for a career-high 35 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown last weekend. The Patriots also called up veteran running back D’Ernest Johnson on Saturday.
Patriots inactives:
WR Kayshon Boutte (hamstring)
RB Rhamondre Stevenson (toe)
LB Christian Elliss (hip)
S John Saunders (healthy scratch)
DT Eric Gregory (healthy scratch)
OL Caedan Wallace (healthy scratch)
QB Tommy DeVito (emergency third quarterback)
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