The
Doubs, who is in his debut season with the Patriots, exited the contest immediately following his scoring play and did not return to the field. Through his first six games in New England, the receiver has recorded 14 catches for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Under league rules, the designation mandates that he will miss a minimum of four games, starting with this Thursday night’s matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
A Season Defined by Roster Instability
The loss of Doubs is the latest in a series of injury-related challenges for the Patriots during the 2026 campaign. The team has navigated a difficult path regarding player availability, with several key contributors already sidelined on injured reserve. The list of players currently or previously placed on IR includes starting right guard Mike Onwenu, his replacement Greg Van Roten, offensive tackle Marcus Bryant, fullback Reggie Gilliam, receiver Mack Hollins, and punter Bryce Baringer. The team also lost tight end Julian Hill to a season-ending knee injury during the spring.
The timing of the injury is particularly frustrating for the coaching staff, as Sunday’s game was intended to be the first time Doubs and
Looking Ahead at the Receiving Depth
With Doubs sidelined for at least the next month, the Patriots will look to rely on their remaining depth at the position. The current 53-man roster features receivers A.J. Brown, Pop Douglas, Efton Chism III, and Kyle Williams. To address the immediate vacancy, the organization signed former Miami Dolphins receiver Ryan Miller to the practice squad on Monday. He joins a practice squad group that includes Chandler Brayboy, Kyle Dixon, and Cameron Dorner.
Following the upcoming Thursday night game in Chicago, the Patriots face a challenging stretch of the schedule. They are set to travel to face the Miami Dolphins and host the Green Bay Packers before heading to Munich for a game against the Detroit Lions, which will be followed by the team's bye week.
