Team news: New England Patriots | Page 7

No sign of RB Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) at the media-access portion of practice for the third straight day.

Related Players: Antonio Gibson, JaMycal Hasty

If Stevenson misses Week 6 (which seems likely), Gibson jumps up into a very interesting role, possibly as a consistent check-down option in Drake Maye's first start. It won't feel great, but he can be considered a borderline RB2 in that scenario.

The Texans have placed WR Nico Collins, the NFL's leading receiver on Injured Reserve. He's out four games.

Related Players: Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, Xavier Hutchinson, Dalton Schultz

Hutchinson came in and basically played Collins' role for the rest of Week 5, but he is obviously not going to demand the same type of target share. He can be added in deeper leagues, but we expect Diggs, Dell, and Schultz to take a majority of the extra usage.

With the season getting away from them, the Patriots are turning to Drake Maye.

Related players: Jacoby Brissett

There were feelings among those who follow the Pats a change at QB could occur this week, and sure enough it has. As the post pointed out, Brissett has been underwhelming to say the least, and, the team has no true road games for the next three weeks, even though they will play in London in Week 7. So a change now does make some sense as the team was likely looking for the best window possible. Maye and NE will host the Texans this week and then home again in Week 8 against the Jets. The hope is Maye will bring a spark to the offense but it doesn't change the fact the Patriots offensive line is a struggle.

Opinion/analysis: Notable shift in Jerod Mayo's answers regarding QB situation in his day-after-game video conference compared to past weeks. Mayo said last week the way the team won its only game was "unsustainable" and he seems to strongly be considering switch to Drake Maye.

Related players: Jacoby Brissett

A big reason for the Pats not wanting to put Maye in at QB is the struggles of the offensive line. But at this point, given the struggles of the entire offense, a change has to at least be considered - and Reiss feels maybe the team is starting to feel the same way. Maye will likely have his struggle as well, but at this point there doesn't seem to be a lot of reason to stick with Brissett.

Sean McDermott says on WGR550 that DT Ed Oliver, WR Khalil Shakir, DT Austin Johnson, and S Taylor Rapp are OUT for Sunday’s game

Related Players: Mack Hollins, Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid

The receiving room behind Shakir has been mostly miserable through the first month of the season, though the rookie Coleman has looked pretty good in his limited role. None of them are particularly exciting, though Coleman can be used as a desperation Flex in a game that should see him with a high route participation.

Kincaid becomes a top-5 option at the tight end position.

Jerod Mayo says "Jacoby Brissett is 100% our starter, and that's how we're going to look at this going forward."

Related players: Drake Maye

The Patriots are sitting at 1-3 on the season, and it's pretty obvious if that trend continues the Pats will have to turn the ball over to Maye. Those who follow the team indicated most of the summer that sticking Maye behind an offensive line that was expected to struggle probably wouldn't end well. At this point, Brissett has been sacked 15 times. Still, at what will likely be a more opportune time in the schedule decided by the coaching staff, Maye should get his shot this season.

Nico Collins who was limited in practices with a hamstring says he “good to go.”

Related Players: Stefon Diggs, Xavier Hutchinson, Robert Woods, Dalton Schultz

Collins is the overall WR6 as he continues to prove that the addition of Diggs does not cap his potential as a top-10 fantasy option. With Tank Dell missing this matchup, Collins has a floor-and-ceiling combination that locks him into any and all lineups.

Texans wide receiver Tank Dell has not practiced this week due to painful bruised ribs and is not expected to play against the Jaguars, per sources.

Related Players: Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, Xavier Hutchinson, Robert Woods, Dalton Schultz

This could mean more snaps for veteran Robert Woods, but you would figure that more of the share would simply go to Collins and Diggs, with a little more for Schultz. Collins and Diggs are respective WR1 and WR2s for Week 4.

#Texans’ Tank Dell managing pain of bruised ribs, unlikely to play against Jaguars; Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce still sidelined.

Related Players: Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, Xavier Hutchinson, Robert Woods, Dalton Schultz

This could mean more snaps for veteran Robert Woods, but you would figure that more of the share would simply go to Collins and Diggs, with a little more for Schultz. Collins and Diggs are respective WR1 and WR2s for Week 4.

Vikings are not listing Justin Jefferson on this week’s injury report for Sundays game vs. the Texans, but Minnesota has ruled out WR Jordan Addison.

Related Players: Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield

Addison's season has gone from bad to worse, with off-the-field issues still sitting in the background. Nailor makes for an interesting desperation Flex play against Houston this week, while Jefferson needs to be started everywhere.