The New England Patriots are without star wide receiver A.J. Brown for at least the next month after he landed on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain, a massive hit to their passing attack. This isn’t just some nagging bruise; we’re talking about their top wideout being sidelined, leaving a huge hole in what they want to do offensively. This is exactly the kind of early-season gut punch that forces teams to show what they’re really made of.
Vrabel’s “No Panic” Approach for the Patriots
You might think losing a guy like Brown would make a coach completely rethink the playbook, but it sounds like Mike Vrabel is sticking to his guns. He’s not about to overhaul the whole system. Instead, the Patriots are banking on a “group effort” to fill Brown’s shoes. Vrabel laid it out, saying, “I mean, we’re trying to install here and putting guys in spots that are best for them and best for us. And so, I don’t know how much we want to tweak things.” He stressed they’ll keep moving guys around, much like they did with Brown, who played X, F, and Z. It’s a bold strategy to not panic, but it means the pressure is on for some specific guys to step up big time.
Can Williams and Hollins Carry the Load?
So, who are these guys stepping into the spotlight? First up, there’s second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams. He only saw 12 snaps in the opener, mainly relieving Brown in the second half, but he’s about to get a serious bump in playing time. Coach Vrabel is clearly looking to get him involved, noting, “I’m hopeful that Kyle can find a role for us and find a way to help us, using his speed and catch and run opportunities like we saw last year at times or some shot-type plays.” Williams himself is feeling locked-in and focused, telling us he’s got a better grip on Josh McDaniels’ offense in his second season. He knows he’s got more to show than just speed, too. “I can do a lot, man. And just when those opportunities present itself, that’s when I’ll be able to show it. But I know I’m more than just speed,” Williams said. He didn’t even get a target from Drake Maye in Week 1, so the opportunities are definitely presenting themselves now!
Then there’s veteran Mack Hollins, who is already proving his worth. Hollins led all Patriots wide receivers with a solid 50 snaps in Week 1, racking up a team-high 51 receiving yards. Vrabel clearly trusts him, explaining, “Mack’s always taking advantage of his opportunities. I think that the quarterback knows he’s going to be in the right spot when he’s supposed to be there.” Hollins’ versatility will be crucial, as Vrabel also noted, “we’re comfortable being able to move him around as well in those multiple positions.” These two are going to be key pieces in keeping that passing game afloat.
Romeo Doubs’ Uphill Battle
But it’s not all sunshine and increased snaps. Free-agent addition Romeo Doubs had a rough Patriots debut, finishing with zero catches on three targets. He had a bad drop that preceded an interception, and another ball thrown his way was also picked off. That’s a brutal start. While Vrabel says he’s not losing faith, simply stating, “He dropped a pass. You know what,” Doubs absolutely has to clean things up. Losing Brown puts a spotlight on every single receiver, and Doubs needs to shake off those early jitters fast if the Patriots want to keep pace. It’s early in the season, and every snap matters for this offense right now as they try to navigate the next month without their superstar.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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