The likelihood is growing that the New England Patriots will be missing key players heading into a pivotal road matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
It was another shorthanded afternoon for the team at Thursday’s practice with right tackle Isaiah Wynn, wideout DeVante Parker, running back Rhamondre Stevenson, receiver Jakobi Meyers and cornerback Jack Jones all missing in action.
Meyers was initially listed as limited, but the team announced he missed practice as well.
The Patriots aren’t exactly in a place right now where they can afford to be down starting players at the aforementioned positions. So it does create real concerns that the team will run into problems against the Raiders.
Update: The Patriots just announced that Meyers actually did not practice today. https://t.co/eZTlPt2tto
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) December 15, 2022
Even with a losing record, Las Vegas still has one of the better skilled groups in the league, and they could be boosted by the returns of tight end Darren Waller and receiver Hunter Renfrow. The defense hasn’t been anything special, but the Patriots aren’t exactly blowing opponents out of the water offensively, either.
Throw in the fact that Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels knows the Patriots organization better than any opposing coach in the league and this matchup has potential trap game written all over it.