The [New England Patriots](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots) have spent much of the season trying to assemble a dangerous collection of weapons around Drake Maye.
Thursday night against the Chicago Bears, they might discover that one of their most important answers was already on the roster.
DeMario Douglas enters the Week 7 matchup with an opportunity to establish himself as an even bigger part of New England's offense following another round of injuries at wide receiver. The Patriots placed Romeo Doubs on injured reserve Monday because of a shoulder injury suffered during Sunday's victory over the New York Jets. Mack Hollins is also on injured reserve with a calf injury.
That leaves Maye without two receivers who were expected to play important roles this season. Douglas, meanwhile, is coming off one of his most productive performances of the year.
Douglas Delivered When New England Needed Him
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The Patriots defeated the Jets 26-19 on Sunday, improving to 4-2 and extending their winning streak to three games. Douglas caught seven passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. His nine-yard scoring reception helped New England build a 17-3 halftime lead.
He also recovered New York's late onside kick, securing the victory after the Jets had trimmed the deficit to seven points.
Those contributions reinforced something the Patriots already knew about Douglas. He can provide reliable production when the offense needs a quick completion or a receiver capable of creating space.
His role could become even more significant against Chicago. Doubs had accumulated a team-leading 261 receiving yards before his injury. Hollins had contributed 209 yards before landing on injured reserve.
Replacing that production will require more than one receiver. However, Douglas has already demonstrated that he can handle an increased workload.
**MORE**: [Former Bears Starter Now With Patriots Telling Coaches Everything He Knows About Team](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots/news/former-bears-patriots-coaches-everything-he-knows-about-team/e968f8d330479d4d24e2aa6c)
A.J. Brown's Return Adds Another Layer
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New England also has A.J. Brown available after the veteran returned from an ankle injury against the Jets. Brown caught three passes for 27 yards on 10 targets Sunday. The performance showed that his return alone does not guarantee the Patriots' passing game will immediately operate at full strength.
Maye and Brown still need opportunities to establish their timing. Douglas could help bridge that gap.
With Brown attracting attention from Chicago's secondary, Douglas may find opportunities to work underneath coverage and create yards after the catch. Hunter Henry also remains an important option, giving Maye another dependable target.
The Patriots have scored 100 points during their three-game winning streak, but maintaining that production with a depleted receiving corps presents a different challenge. Douglas does not need to become a traditional No. 1 receiver overnight.
He simply needs to continue doing what made him so valuable against New York: getting open, making difficult situations manageable and delivering when Maye needs a completion. Thursday could provide another opportunity to show how important he has become to New England's offense.
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