New England Patriots v Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots v Miami Dolphins | Megan Briggs/GettyImages
The easiest word to describe the Patriots' 2026 season so far would be injured. Other words could describe this team and what the season has shown so far, but nothing has hurt their hopes of repeating last season's success more than the mounting injuries that worsen with each game.
That's been especially true for the offense, and because of that, Drake Maye's performance has been all over the place. The first month of the year was something we hope never to see again, until the Patriots left Buffalo with a win and the quarterback appeared to revert to his MVP-caliber form.
That was the case for the last four games, but his performance against the Packers was beyond problematic.
It didn't help that more players left the game early with injuries, particularly on offense, limiting any lingering optimism about their chances in next week's matchup against the Lions, let alone the rest of the season.
Mike Vrabel provided a few updates before the team travels to Munich on Wednesday about some of their most prominent players, and it doesn't sound like Maye will be getting more reinforcements before the game.
The Patriots can't escape the injury bug in their Week 9 beatdown by the Packers
A.J. Brown will probably miss another week
After a flare-up of his previous knee injury forced A.J. Brown to sit out the last two games, Mike Vrabel's latest update suggests we won't see the receiver suit up for their next game against the Lions.
When reporters asked whether Brown would make the trip to Germany this week, as the Patriots leave on Wednesday, Vrabel said the plan is for him to travel with the team, but no decision had been made yet.
Because they have a bye in Week 11, it is more likely that they will keep Brown out of next week's matchup and give him another week of rest so they can have him return to the starting lineup against the Chargers in Week 12.
It doesn't sound like Ben Brown will make the trip to Germany
The offensive line certainly doesn't need more injuries this season, but they can't escape that unfortunate fate for long, as backup lineman Ben Brown left Sunday's game with a knee injury.
When asked for an update on Monday morning, Vrabel said that Brown "likely won't make it" for next week's game, especially since they leave midweek for Munich.
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Rhamondre Stevenson was part of a long list of players receiving an MRI on Monday
As if the offense hasn't already lost enough invaluable players this season, Rhamondre Stevenson leaving the Packers game with a knee injury only made things worse.
He was among several injured players receiving treatment Monday morning, which Vrabel said was "wearing out the MRIs." Later that night, NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed that Stevenson suffered a knee tendon issue that shouldn't require surgery, but it is expected to keep him sidelined for a few weeks.
It's a brutal hit to an already depleted backfield, with TreVeyon Henderson missing time with no timetable for his return. That leaves the running back room with just Corey Kiner and Lan Larison, neither of whom has been a starter in their careers.
The hope is that Stevenson will miss Week 10, use the bye week to recover, and maybe return for Week 12 against the Chargers. It's not ideal, but there's no reason to rush him back sooner than necessary, especially if the playoffs become a distant memory.