New England Patriots News

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Jabrill Peppers  • S  •  Patriots

Jabrill Peppers Added To Injury Report, Now Questionable For Week 1

New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (hip) was added to the Week 1 injury report on Saturday and is now questionable to suit up for the season opener on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Peppers is one of the team's key defenders, not just in the secondary, so not having him on Sunday would be a big blow as the Pats try to slow down a Bengals offense that could be without its top two receivers in Ja'Marr Chase (holdout) and Tee Higgins (hamstring). The 28-year-old is worth stashing in IDP leagues but should probably be on benches in Week 1 now that he's up in the air to play. The former 25th overall pick in 2017 out of Michigan is heading into his third year in New England after racking up 87 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a sack in 32 games (20 starts) over the last two years.
6 hours ago   
K.J. Osborn  • WR  •  Patriots

K.J. Osborn Off Radar Ahead Of Patriots Debut

New England Patriots wide receiver K.J. Osborn will make his team debut against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon. The veteran pass-catcher was signed away from the Minnesota Vikings this offseason and should provide quarterback Jacoby Brissett with an experienced presence downfield. Osborn is known for his big-play potential, but he's capable of producing on shorter passes, too. As of now, his primary competition for targets is rookie Ja'Lynn Polk, as the two were vying for the No. 2 role as the summer wound down. It's still unclear which of the two will start alongside Demario Douglas on Sunday, but it's a moot point for fantasy managers given that neither is worth starting in redraft leagues. Douglas, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Hunter Henry are the only Patriots that warrant even some consideration in most fantasy leagues.
18 hours ago   
Joey Slye  • K  •  Patriots

Joey Slye Avoidable In All Leagues In Week 1

New England Patriots kicker Joey Slye should be left on the waiver wire in fantasy football ahead of his Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. There are a variety of reasons why Slye is avoidable, starting with the poor state of the Patriots' offense. New England is projected to finish with the NFL's worst record and might have the worst offense in the league. They will have trouble moving into scoring position this year, leaving Slye with reduced opportunities to attempt kicks. Furthermore, Slye himself has delivered questionable production in the past. He made just 19 of 24 field goals last year and also missed three extra point attempts. If the Patriots don't score many points and Slye can't be trusted to kick field goals, then he should be avoided in fantasy football.
18 hours ago   
Ja'Lynn Polk  • WR  •  Patriots

Ja'Lynn Polk Off The Fantasy Radar Ahead Of NFL Debut

New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk will make his NFL debut against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. A second-round pick out of the University of Washington, Polk could open the year as New England's No. 2 wide receiver. As the preseason wrapped up, both he and K.J. Osborn were competing for that role with Demario Douglas in line to serve as the No. 1 receiver. It's possible that Osborn draws the start given his experience in the NFL, but there's no denying that Polk flashed real potential this summer and will be on Osborn's heels, at the very least. Polk should be rostered in most dynasty leagues but lacks redraft appeal, especially with the Patriots projected to finish last in the NFL this year.
18 hours ago   
Demario Douglas  • WR  •  Patriots

Demario Douglas Has Some Appeal In Week 1

New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas has generated some buzz as a potential fantasy starter in deeper leagues for Week 1. As the Patriots prepare for battle against the Cincinnati Bengals, quarterback Jacoby Brissett will likely be looking for reliable options in the passing attack, including Douglas. Brissett will have very little time to throw behind the porous offensive line. Therefore, he could connect early and often with Douglas, who typically runs shorter routes and can be a reliable presence over the middle. Douglas won't rack up major yardage, but he could be a PPR darling with the amount of targets he gets Sunday, especially if the Patriots are playing from behind (as expected). With that said, a lack of bye weeks and injuries this early in the season has left plenty of appealing options at the wide receiver position, lowering Douglas' ranking. He's the top fantasy receiver in New England, though, and is best viewed as a low-end FLEX play in deeper leagues this week.
18 hours ago   
Rhamondre Stevenson  • RB  •  Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson Is Patriots' Top Fantasy Option

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson has more fantasy football allure than the rest of his teammates heading into a Week 1 clash with the Cincinnati Bengals. While the Patriots have a very bleak outlook in general this year, there's still an opportunity for players like Stevenson to see decent volume. That starts this week against a Bengals defense that allowed the ninth-most rushing touchdowns and the 12th-most rushing yards to running backs in 2023. Stevenson will lose some touches to Antonio Gibson, but he's still the No. 1 back in this offense and has workhorse potential. He has also consistently shown his value as a runner, receiver, and blocker, which should allow him to get on the field and earn reps in all types of situations this year. He ranks as a low-end RB2, but managers should expect reduced touchdown opportunities with the Patriots projected to finish as the worst team in the NFL this year.
19 hours ago   
Jacoby Brissett  • QB  •  Patriots

Jacoby Brissett Avoidable In Patriots Return

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett is gearing up for his second stint with the team. He'll draw the start for New England in Week 1 but remains off the radar in most fantasy leagues. His below-average play coupled with the Patriots' weak pass-catching group lowers Brissett's floor, as well as his upside. He also has a tough matchup against an up-and-coming Cincinnati Bengals defense that finished with the eighth-most interceptions in the NFL last year. If you're a fantasy manager who waited to select a quarterback until the very end of your draft in 2-QB leagues, maybe you should consider Brissett. Otherwise, though, he has a bleak outlook this week and should be treated as one of the least preferable QB options in fantasy football.
19 hours ago   
Hunter Henry  • TE  •  Patriots

Hunter Henry Gets The Green Light For Week 1

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (foot) has been removed from Friday's final injury report and will be good to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Henry was a full participant in the first official practice of the year on Wednesday, so there was never really any doubt whether he'd suit up and play this weekend after dealing with a foot injury during training camp. Fantasy managers can't really get too excited about any of the offensive skill players in New England's offense this year in what is expected to be one of the most lackluster units, but the 29-year-old Henry could be a valuable safety blanket for both quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye as they play catchup on the scoreboard more often than not. Heading into Week 1, fantasy managers should treat Henry as a TE2 sleeper against Cincy.
23 hours ago   
Antonio Gibson  • RB  •  Patriots

Antonio Gibson Optimistic Despite Questionable Tag

New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (hip) said his hip responded well during Friday's practice session, and he's optimistic he'll be ready to go for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals, barring an unexpected turn of events. Gibson was added to the injury report on Thursday and was limited in practice with his hip injury. The 26-year-old could be questionable on Friday's final injury report, but Gibson appears to be on the right side of questionable right now. If he's active for his Patriots debut, Gibson will be the backup to starter Rhamondre Stevenson in an offense that isn't expected to be very dynamic while being run by either QB Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye. Gibson should be on fantasy benches if he's active in Week 1, while JaMycal Hasty could rise to a backup role behind Stevenson if Gibson is held out. UPDATE: Gibson officially was listed as questionable.
Yesterday   
Antonio Gibson  • RB  •  Patriots

Antonio Gibson Added To Week 1 Injury Report

New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (hip) was added to the team's injury report on Thursday after putting in a limited practice session. Mid-week downgrades in status are usually never good, but the Patriots could also be practicing caution with one of their top running backs just before the start of the regular season on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. We'll know more when the Patriots release their final injury report on Friday. Gibson, who is in his first year in New England in the first year without head coach Bill Belichick, is expected to be the primary change-of-pace option to starter Rhamondre Stevenson in an offense that not many people are expecting much from under either veteran QB Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye. Gibson is best left on benches in Week 1, and if he's not active, JaMycal Hasty could be the team's RB2 behind Stevenson.
Yesterday   
Hunter Henry  • TE  •  Patriots

Hunter Henry A Full Participant In Practice

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (foot) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. This comes as good news for a Patriots team in need of offensive weapons. Henry will start at tight end and should continue his success in the red zone for the Patriots. In 2023 he recorded 42 receptions for 419 yards and six touchdowns. He has scored 17 touchdowns during his Patriots career. The Patriots do not project to be a high-powered offense. However, Henry should have his usual share of solid weeks as a tight end streamer.
3 days ago   
Drake Maye  • QB  •  Patriots

Drake Maye Expected To Start At Some Point In 2024

New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye is expected to be named the starter at some point during the 2024 NFL season, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. While Jacoby Brissett gets the nod Week 1, Howe expects that the Patriots will turn to the No. 3 overall pick at some point this year. He notes that "the variables between the team's record and the line's performance have made it a guess as to when that would happen." In other words, if the Patriots get off to a hot start, the Patriots may ride with Brissett. Similarly, if the offensive line can't do a good job in pass protection, the Patriots may play Brissett in order to preserve Maye's health. Once he does take over as the starter in New England, Maye will be a high-end fantasy QB2.
4 days ago   
Jacoby Brissett  • QB  •  Patriots

Jacoby Brissett Officially Named Week 1 Starter

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has named veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett the starter for the Week 1 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye will start his pro career in the backup role. This has been the expectation this offseason and Maye is viewed as a project QB, while Brissett can stabilize the position early in the 2024 campaign. Although Brissett has had some success during his career, New England is lacking established weapons on offense and could rely heavily on Rhamondre Stevenson and the running game. That said, it would be a surprise if the 31-year-old is high on the fantasy football radar in single-QB leagues. Fantasy managers in Superflex and two-QB leagues could target Brissett as a late-round short-term starter, but Maye should also be stashed in those setups.
Aug 29   
Chad Ryland  • K  •  Patriots

Patriots Release Kicker Chad Ryland

The New England Patriots released kicker Chad Ryland on Tuesday, according to a source. Ryland has officially lost the starting kicking competition in New England to Joey Slye and will now be looking for work elsewhere. The 24-year-old was the Patriots' starting kicker in 2023 after being drafted in the fourth round out of Maryland. He made just 64% of his 25 field-goal attempts in his rookie season while making 24 of his 25 extra-point tries for a bad offense. Ryland could end up rejoining the team's practice squad, but he's obviously not even close to being fantasy relevant. Slye, 28, made 79.2% of his 24 field-goal attempts for the Washington Commanders in 17 games last year, missing three of his 35 extra-point tries. Fantasy managers should avoid Slye in pretty much all formats in 2024.
Aug 28   
Jacoby Brissett  • QB  •  Patriots

Jacoby Brissett Feels "100 Percent Fine"

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (shoulder) said he feels "100% fine" after being pulled from the preseason finale on Sunday against the Washington Commanders with a right-shoulder injury. "It's good. I think it was more of a precautionary measure; I hadn't gotten hit in eight months, so it kind of surprised me more than anything. I'm excited, ready for the season," Brissett said. Head coach Jerod Mayo said Brissett could have gone back into the game if needed. The 31-year-old veteran should be fully ready for Week 1 in two weeks, but he may have lost the starting QB gig to rookie first-rounder Drake Maye, who has outplayed Brissett of late. If Brissett is starting in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals, it's because the Pats want to give Maye a bit more time to develop before throwing him into the fire. At best, Brissett is a low-upside QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues.
Aug 28   
Boston Scott  • RB  •  Patriots

Boston Scott Returns To Pennsylvania, Signs With Steelers Practice Squad

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing running back Boston Scott to their practice squad. Scott was released by the Los Angeles Rams earlier this week. He brings veteran experience to the Steelers after having spent his first six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Scott lost a lot of his touches to D'Andre Swift and Kenneth Gainwell in 2023. He only ran the ball 20 times for 86 yards and zero touchdowns in 15 games. The Steelers only have running backs Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren (hamstring), and Cordarrelle Patterson listed on their depth chart. With Warren not 100%, Scott may have a chance to be elevated to the active roster at some point. Either way, this move is likely to be inconsequential for fantasy football.
Aug 27   
Bailey Zappe  • QB  •  Patriots

Patriots Waive Bailey Zappe

The New England Patriots waived quarterback Bailey Zappe on Tuesday, according to a source. Zappe became the odd-man out in New England's QB room leading up to the start of the 2024 regular season after rookie sixth-rounder Joe Milton III showed enough in training camp and the preseason to earn the QB3 role behind first-round rookie Drake Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett. Maye and Brissett are still competing for the starting gig under center with less than two weeks to go before Week 1 kicks off. Zappe, 25, should find a new home sooner than later as QB depth. He was initially a fourth-round selection by the Pats in 2022 out of Western Kentucky. In his two years in Boston, he completed only 63.2% of his 304 pass attempts for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 14 games (eight starts).
Aug 27   
Kendrick Bourne  • WR  •  Patriots

Kendrick Bourne To Begin Season On PUP List

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) will start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, sidelining him for the first four games. Bourne tore his ACL in Week 8 last year, and it's common for such injuries to require nearly a year for full recovery. Despite the setback, the Patriots rewarded Bourne with a new three-year contract in March, reflecting their belief in his future contributions. Last season, he recorded 37 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns, averaging a career-best 50.8 receiving yards per game. With Bourne out, receivers Ja'Lynn Polk, Demario Douglas, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn, and Tyquan Thornton will see increased opportunities. This shift will likely lead to more targets for Douglas, Osborn, and Polk in the early part of the 2024 season.
Aug 27   
Jacoby Brissett  • QB  •  Patriots

Jacoby Brissett's Injury Not Considered Serious

New England Patriots veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett (shoulder) left the team's preseason finale early on Sunday night against the Washington Commanders after his opening drive, but he could have returned if needed, according to head coach Jerod Mayo. It's an injury that shouldn't keep Brissett from being available for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8. The bigger concern for the 31-year-old signal-caller is that rookie first-rounder Drake Maye has outplayed him for much of training camp and the preseason, and it feels as though things are trending towards the Patriots naming Maye as their Week 1 starter. Even if Brissett is given the Week 1 start so that Maye is allowed more time to learn on the sidelines, the veteran is no more than a QB3 option in superflex leagues and will probably be on the bench sooner than later in 2024.
Aug 27   
Jacoby Brissett  • QB  •  Patriots  |  Drake Maye  • QB  •  Patriots

Drake Maye Outplaying Jacoby Brissett But No Starter Named

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has noted that rookie Drake Maye is giving veteran Jacoby Brissett a run for his money in the quarterback competition. While Brissett, in his ninth NFL season, has the advantage of experience having started 11 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 and being familiar with Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt's system Maye's performance has closed the gap significantly. Mayo acknowledged that the difference between the two quarterbacks has narrowed in recent weeks and emphasized that the decision will hinge on which player gives the Patriots the best chance to win against the Bengals in Week 1. Maye has made a strong case with his preseason play, totaling 66 snaps, completing 21 of 34 passes for 192 yards, and tossing one touchdown with no interceptions. Additionally, he has contributed with seven carries for 32 yards and a rushing touchdown. Maye's physical talent and ability to make plays could potentially elevate the performance of skill players like Rhamondre Stevenson and Ja'Lynn Polk, making him an intriguing option for the starting role.
Aug 26   
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