Team news: New England Patriots

Patriots TE Hunter Henry, who was dealing with a knee injury this weekend, is considered day-to-day. He's sore. But has a chance to play.

Related Players: Jonnu Smith, Scotty Washington

Former UDFA Scotty Washington saw his first snaps of the year, but Jonnu Smith would be the true beneficiary if Henry were to miss any time. Smith shifted away from his run-blocking duties for the most part in Week 15, but it still only resulted in four targets and 21 yards. Jonnu's time in New England has not been fortuitous for fantasy, and it isn't like to change regardless of Hunter's status.

Asked directly whether the plan is for Jones to start the final three weeks of the season, Belichick didn’t answer, instead just saying they’re focused on this week’s game against the Bengals.

Related Players: Bailey Zappe

Mac Jones has had a difficult sophomore season, but it's hard to say that the offense would receive a miraculous upgrade with Zappe on the field. It's best to ignore the Patriots quarterback situation for now, and hope that they hire an offensive coordinator ahead of the 2023 season.

Patriots RB Damien Harris has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Raiders with a thigh injury.

Pierre Strong Jr. may get another showing after his impressive outing Monday against the Cardinals. As Reiss notes, with Rhamondre Stevenson questionable, the Patriots may also call up J.J. Taylor to the game-day roster. As of now, we have Stevenson as RB15, Strong as RB51 and Kevin Harris as RB60.

Patriots injury update: RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) has been downgraded to out.

Related players: Damien Harris, Pierre Strong, Kevin Harris

Stevenson tried to return to the game before heading to the locker room and eventually being ruled out. Stevenson's injury is worth monitoring as Damien Harris was inactive for Week 14 leaving Strong and Kevin Harris to handle the workload. Strong outshined Kevin Harris, running five times for 70 yards and a score and adding a two catches for 20 yards. Kevin Harris ran eight times for 26 yards and a score. Kevin Harris is considered more of an early down, bruising back while Strong is more of the change of pace and pass-catching back, but did showoff his speed with a 44-yard run.

Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers (concussion) is out for Monday's game against the Cardinals and RB Damien Harris (thigh) is doubtful.

Neither player practiced all week. The offense takes a bit of a hit, especially with Meyers out, but the offense should continue to run through Rhamondre Stevenson Monday. DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor stand to see more opportunities Monday, but none are all that strong of a fantasy option this week against an Arizona team that has been solid against opposing wide receivers, along with having a limited quarterback in Mac Jones. Be cautious with the Patriots' offense, except for Stevenson, who is once again a sure-fire start.

No sign of Jakobi Meyers, Trent Brown, Isaiah Wynn, Damien Harris, and Jalen Mills at today’s Patriots practice. Garrett Gilbert also missing from the practice squad.

Related Players: Rhamondre Stevenson

Rhamondre Stevenson has been crushing in fantasy all season long, but even more so when Harris has missed time. Stevenson's passing game prowess makes him a must-start regardless, but he has an overall RB1 ceiling if Harris is out in Week 14.

Mac Jones' frustration boiled over as an impotent New England Patriots offense failed to produce during Thursday night's 24-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The broadcast showed Jones on the sideline at one point, appearing to say, "Throw the f------ ball! The quick game sucks!" The assumption from the majority of viewers was that Jones directed his ire at play-caller Matt Patricia. But the quarterback said after the game it wasn't directed at anyone specifically.

Mac Jones' 7.7 aDOT ranks him 25th in the NFL, while his 6.5 aDOT from this Week 13 matchup would rank 37th/38 qualifying quarterbacks if it were extrapolated over the entire season. The offense was sputtering for most of the game, and all three of Jones' attempts 20+ yards down the field fell incomplete, while he was asked to attempt seven screen passes in his 36 attempts.
Granted, the Bills' defense can certainly be tough at times, and things will ease up over the next two weeks against the Cardinals and Raiders.

Patriots’ WR Jakobi Meyers, listed as questionable for tonight’s game due to a shoulder injury, is expected to play vs. the Bills.

Related Players: DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor

Meyers was forced to miss most of Week 12's action with his shoulder injury, but he did return to the game. Parker and Agholor took advantage and delivered decent games of 4-80-0 and 6-65-1, respectively. The Bills' defense is a tough matchup, but Jakobi Meyers should still operate as a WR3 for Week 13.

Patriots ruled out RB Damien Harris for Thursday night’s game vs. Buffalo.

Related players: Rhamondre Stevenson, Kevin Harris, Pierre Strong Jr.

Stevenson should be in store for a busy Week 13 with Harris out of the lineup, even in a tough matchup against the Bills. Harris and Strong could factor in a bit, but Stevenson projects to be an RB1 on Thursday night.