Pats Pulpit

Conner had been among a group of tight ends in Foxborough for workouts before signing to the Patriots practice squad in September. The 28-year-old Idaho State alum entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He made the Miami Dolphins' initial 53-man roster as a rookie and went on to appear in 33 games during his first AFC East stop. Finishing 2025 on the practice squad of the New York Giants before being released in August, Conner's career includes 12 catches for 107 yards across 251 snaps on offense and 413 snaps on special teams.

The Patriots lost Hill to season-ending injured reserve in June. The 26-year-old inline tight end had agreed to terms on a three-year pact in March after not being tendered by the Dolphins as a restricted free agent. Hill spent the past three campaigns with Miami while appearing in 45 games, including 26 starts, on the way to reeling in 33 receptions for 288 yards. The 2023 undrafted addition out of Campbell recorded 1,298 snaps on offense and 496 snaps on special teams.

Placed on injured reserve due to a calf injury in October, Hollins has caught 61 passes for 759 yards and two touchdowns through 19 games and 16 starts with the Patriots. The 2017 fourth-round pick out of North Carolina earned a Super Bowl LII ring as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and was later claimed off waivers by ex-Miami head coach Brian Flores. A Dolphin from 2019 through 2021, Hollins served as a special teams captain before making stops with an additional three teams. The 33-year-old's NFL career has featured 228 receptions for 2,828 yards and 17 visits to the end zone across 131 appearances.

The Patriots signed Miller to the practice squad midway through October after placing wide receiver Romeo Doubs on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. The 26-year-old went undrafted out of Furman in 2023 and spent three seasons between the 53-man roster and practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before being claimed off waivers by the New York Giants. Miller then became a waiver claim at Hard Rock Stadium amid training camp. He has played in 30 NFL games, including six starts, while totaling 17 receptions for 254 yards and four touchdowns. His most recent TD took place in a Dolphins uniform from 77 yards out in September.

Reagor joined the Dolphins in June and was retained on the practice squad at its formation after being released in August. The 27-year-old wide receiver spent the previous two campaigns with the Los Angeles Chargers before appearing in 11 games for the Patriots in 2023. He has caught 86 passes for 1,037 yards and four touchdowns across 64 games and 27 starts into his career, with an additional two visits to the end zone as a kickoff and punt returner.

Rhamondre Stevenson's 48-yard touchdown catch as time expired in the first half against the Bears was the Patriots' longest touchdown to end a half since 2010. Over the past 20 years, 1,006 passes have been thrown in the final 10 seconds of a half from at least 40 yards from the end zone and traveled 10 or fewer air yards; Maye's throw to Stevenson was the only one to result in a touchdown, highlighting an exceptional and rare statistical achievement.

A.J. Brown's lack of involvement upon return from injury is a concern for the Patriots offense, per the source. Despite the team competing well against Chicago, his limited usage is flagged as an issue that needs correction alongside other team problems.

Drake Maye leads the league with 8 interceptions, matching his entire total from last season; turnovers continue to haunt his performance in losses. He threw for 321 yards and 2 TDs against Chicago but made a costly mistake—a bad pass into the end zone picked off by D'Marco Jackson—that proved decisive in the 30-24 loss. The source notes he 'isn't seeing ghosts, but he's been haunted by turnovers in their losses,' and that one mistake swung the game, showing how slight the margins are in the NFL.

Wide receiver-needy teams have reportedly called the Colts about the fourth-year man; Downs is a former college teammate of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, creating a potential connection if New England pursues him at the trade deadline.

Running back acquired from Arizona Cardinals in late August trade; seven weeks into season, has had opportunities with increased reps that have grown relatively gradually compared to Rouse's abrupt insertion into injury replacement role. Source notes Kiner's opportunities have developed more methodically than other trade acquisition.

Colston Loveland made plays when matched up with New England's safeties, including a 12-yard touchdown catch against Marcus Jones in the third quarter and a 22-yard gain against Jaylen Reed. The tight end found success against the Patriots' secondary.

Eli Raridon is not yet ready for the high-pressure role the Patriots are trusting him with and continues to struggle with his run-block assignments. As a receiver, Raridon has looked a lot better and continues to find positive matchups against second-level defenders, including on his 30-yard touchdown catch up the seam where the rookie simply ran past his man to get open for the score.

Hunter Henry continues to be Mr. Reliable in the Patriots' offense, with evident chemistry with Drake Maye. On Thursday, he hauled in a team-high seven passes both from in-structure situations and while improvising to assist his quarterback on play extensions. He also continued to perform at a high level as a blocker, something that was not the case earlier in the year.

A.J. Brown's impact was limited on Thursday despite not having the same drop issues he struggled with against the Jets in Week 6. He moved the chains on all three of his receptions but looked a bit slow at times while getting up to 101 snaps in a four-day span fresh off a four-week stint on injured reserve; he didn't manage to find the same space he did against the Jets. Catching three passes, Brown was still the most productive Patriots receiver against the Bears in terms of volume.

TreVeyon Henderson continues to be uneven as a pass blocker, while his feel for run-lane development is also still a major work in progress. The second-year back did not fare significantly better than Corey Kiner in the running back rotation.

Rhamondre Stevenson finished with the best receiving output of his career — 93 yards including an improbable 48-yard touchdown to close out the first half — and willed the Patriots to competitiveness on Thursday. He also looked good as a pass blocker, something that cannot be said for TreVeyon Henderson.

Despite a second-quarter interception into the end zone intended for Eli Raridon that was the second most-impactful play in terms of expected points added or lost, Drake Maye finished with the same EPA per play (0.34) as Chicago's Caleb Williams. Outside that one miscue, he played impressive football, making difficult throws look routine, extending plays with his legs, and maneuvering around the pocket against pressure and various blitz looks.

A healthy offensive line gives Drake Maye protection and time and makes every skill position player better, emphasizing the quarterback's dependence on OL health for performance and supporting cast production.

Sara Marshall notes the Patriots have an A.J. Brown problem that they need to figure out ASAP, highlighting the Eagles WR as a significant defensive challenge for New England's secondary.

Film breakdown highlights Rhamondre Stevenson's pass protection role, demonstrating his value in pass-game situations beyond rushing duties.

Rookie TE Eli Raridon featured in film breakdown showing positive flashes, indicating development and potential role expansion in Patriots offense.

Patriots WR experiencing a quiet return to the field after joining New England; integration into the passing game is taking time and remains a work in progress. Mike Vrabel addressed Brown's start, and Kevin Stephan notes that his integration into the Patriots' passing game will take time, suggesting fantasy production may lag expectations in the near term.

Patriots QB showed better performance in Week 7 loss to Bears than initial perception; film breakdown analysis indicates he elevated a depleted roster despite mixed performance from star players. Andrew Callahan's film review suggests Maye was better than commonly thought in Chicago, supporting a more optimistic view of his development trajectory.

Second-year RB experiencing concerning regression after a terrific rookie season; locals are worried about his performance and playing time. Mike Vrabel expressed confidence in Henderson, but the source characterizes him as a work in progress rather than a reliable contributor, with reduced usage in Week 7 against Chicago raising questions about his role going forward.

Stevenson remains the Patriots' primary running back (RB1) and has been reliable in both availability and production, providing a stable complement to Henderson's injury-plagued season. His consistent performance has contributed to Henderson's reduced role and usage.

Kiner is competing for carries as the third running back on the Patriots depth chart; he came off a solid performance against the New York Jets four days before the Bears game and received carries in Week 7, prompting head coach Mike Vrabel to evaluate his role alongside Henderson's limited snap count.

Despite quiet production and injury setbacks, Henderson retains the full confidence of head coach Mike Vrabel and the Patriots organization. Vrabel stated after the Bears game: 'TreVeyon will help us plenty here down the stretch and helped us a little bit tonight.' With the Patriots entering Week 8 off a mini-bye and extra rest, Henderson may get an opportunity to increase his involvement.

Henderson played only 13 of 54 snaps in the Week 7 loss to the Bears; head coach Mike Vrabel indicated the limited usage was intentional, citing both the evaluation of third running back Corey Kiner (who had a solid performance against the Jets four days prior) and Henderson's recent high ankle sprain. Vrabel stated: 'We had some things for him, packages or personnel groupings...I wanted to see where we were with Corey [Kiner] getting a couple carries too.'

Henderson has been limited by injuries throughout 2026; he suffered an ankle injury in late August that forced him out multiple weeks into the regular season, and more recently sustained a high ankle sprain just 11 days before the Bears game in Week 7, which directly contributed to his limited snap count (13 of 54) in that contest.

Henderson's 2026 production trajectory has declined sharply from his rookie year; through seven weeks, he has 57 touches for 248 scrimmage yards and 1 touchdown, putting him on pace for approximately 700 yards and 3 touchdowns—well below his 2025 totals of 1,132 yards and 10 touchdowns. The source attributes this downturn to multiple factors: a high ankle sprain suffered 11 days before the Bears game, an earlier ankle injury in late August that cost him multiple weeks, and ongoing developmental gaps in vision and pass protection.

Cameron Latu played 4 of 54 offensive snaps (7%) and 21 of 28 special teams snaps (75%). He was involved in a core-four special teams role for the Patriots.

Tommy DeVito did not play in the Patriots' Week 7 loss to the Bears. For the sixth time in seven games this year, the Patriots' backup quarterback spent all 60 minutes on the sidelines.

Leonard Taylor III played 18 of 69 defensive snaps (26%) at defensive tackle for the Patriots in the Week 7 loss to the Bears.

Corey Kiner played 6 of 54 snaps (11%) and effectively shared RB2 duties with TreVeyon Henderson, who was limited to 13 snaps just 11 days after spraining his ankle. Kiner's minimal snap share reflects his third-string status behind Rhamondre Stevenson.

Kyle Williams played only 21 of 54 snaps (39%) and remained little more than a package option for the Patriots. Despite the team operating out of 11-personnel frequently, Williams saw limited usage as a wide receiver.

Eli Raridon played 29 of 54 snaps (54%) as the TE2 behind Hunter Henry. The rookie tight end saw significant playing time in a game where 17 of Drake Maye's 24 completions went to tight ends or running backs.

Efton Chism III played 34 of 54 snaps (63%) and was one of the primary wideouts used alongside A.J. Brown. Despite the Patriots operating out of 11-personnel frequently, their wide receivers were relatively quiet in terms of production, with 17 of Drake Maye's 24 completions going to tight ends or running backs.

DeMario Douglas played 35 of 54 snaps (65%) and was one of the primary wideouts used alongside A.J. Brown. Despite the Patriots operating out of 11-personnel frequently, their wide receivers were relatively quiet in terms of production, with 17 of Drake Maye's 24 completions going to tight ends or running backs.

TreVeyon Henderson played only 13 of 54 snaps (24%) just 11 days after spraining his ankle, effectively sharing RB2 duties with Corey Kiner. His limited snap share reflects the recent injury and his secondary role behind Rhamondre Stevenson.

Rhamondre Stevenson played 37 of 54 snaps (69%) and carried the bulk of the running back load for the Patriots. Of Drake Maye's 24 pass completions, 17 went to either a tight end or running back, with Stevenson as the primary back.