Brenden Schooler is officially back on the 53-man roster, hitting the field just in time for Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium. This isn’t just another roster move, folks. Schooler, a former team captain and special teams ace, missed all of training camp with a back issue and was on the non-football injury list well past the August cutdown deadline, but his 21-day practice window opened late September. After grinding his way from limited to full participation this past week, he doesn’t even carry a game designation. This return, with four games already in the books, is the earliest he could possibly come back under league rules. That’s a rapid recovery and a massive boost.
The Return of a Special Teams Beast
Since coming into Foxborough as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Schooler has been an absolute force, appearing in 66 games. We’re talking PFWA All-Rookie honors right out the gate, then Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selections. The guy signed a three-year contract extension in 2024 and was named the captain of the kicking game in 2025. He’s stacked up an insane 1,433 snaps on special teams, plus 93 snaps on defense. His resume? A whopping 59 tackles, two sacks, four fumble recoveries, one blocked field goal, and one blocked punt. This isn’t just a player; he’s a game-changer on special teams, and his presence could absolutely flip the script against the Raiders.
Shake-Ups And New Faces Amidst Injuries
While Schooler’s return is huge, the team also had to make some tough calls. Fullback Reggie Gilliam, 29, and wide receiver Mack Hollins, 33, are both heading to injured reserve. Gilliam, who’s been battling ankle and foot issues and was a non-participant all week, is now out for at least four games. He’s a key blocker with 58 downs on offense and 39 on special teams this season, and a career tally of 153 yards and two touchdowns from scrimmage. Hollins, the veteran receiver, sustained a non-contact calf injury last weekend and missed three practices. That’s a big blow, with Hollins leading the team through four games with 20 targets, 15 catches, and 209 yards. To fill some of these gaps, the organization signed cornerback Kindle Vildor to the 53-man roster and elevated linebacker K.J. Britt and safety Elliott Davison from the practice squad. These aren’t minor adjustments; these are critical moves that change the depth chart immediately.
So, as the Patriots gear up to face the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday, they’re getting a proven Pro Bowler back in Brenden Schooler, but also navigating some significant injuries to key offensive vets. It’s a true testament to the early season grind, and every fan has to be wondering how these new faces and the returning special teams ace will impact the scoreboard. You gotta be glued to the screen for this one.
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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