Bouncing back from a loss in the NFL is never easy. But the Las Vegas Raiders can't waste any time doing so, as they have to travel across the country to take on the defending AFC Champion New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium for their first early Sunday window game of the 2026 NFL season.
Mike Vrabel's team hasn't gotten off to the start that many expected them to, as the Patriots sit at 2-2 and behind the Raiders in the current AFC Playoff Picture. But New England is fresh off a huge road win against the mighty Buffalo Bills, so they are trending in the right direction and gaining momentum.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, they appear to be severely banged up ahead of a Week 5 clash with Las Vegas. Christian Gonzalez was the headliner of their lengthy injury list following Wednesday's practice, but he was far from the only pivotal player on their roster dealing with an ailment.
Patriots have several key injuries before Week 4 showdown with Raiders
Raider Nation should be caught up on the latest injury news coming out of Las Vegas, but let's take a peek at who was available during the first practice of the week up in Foxborough, Massachusetts, as New England prepares for the Silver and Black.
Player | Position | Injury | Wednesday Practice Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Christian Gonzalez | CB | Shoulder | DNP |
Carlton Davis | CB | Neck | DNP |
Karon Prunty | CB | Hamstring | DNP |
Mack Hollins | WR | Calf | DNP |
Christian Barmore | DT | Shoulder | Limited |
Christian Elliss | LB | Chest | Limited |
Rhamondre Stevenson | RB | Knee | Limited |
Craig Woodson | SAF | Shoulder | Limited |
Dre'Mont Jones | OLB | Shoulder | Limited |
Channing Canada | CB | Hamstring | Limited |
Reggie Gilliam | FB | Ankle/Knee | Limited |
Morgan Moses | OT | Foot | Limited |
Charles Woods | CB | Shoulder | Limited |
Drake Maye | QB | Shoulder | Full |
Brenden Schooler | SAF | Back | Full |
Now that your thumb is sore from scrolling and you need a minute, let me stop you and ask a question: Who on earth was playing cornerback at practice for the Patriots on Wednesday? Not to make light of their injuries, but I have never seen a group so decimated by ailments all at once.
Of course, these statuses are subject to change, and a lot of teams believe in "limiting" the reps of key players early in the week to give their bodies a rest. Looking at past injury reports, it seems like New England errs on the side of caution. But they've also had plenty of real absences to begin the year.
So, there is a non-zero chance that the Patriots are without several key players when the Raiders stroll into town for a big AFC bout on Sunday. Gonzalez, Davis, Hollins, Barmore, Elliss, Stevenson, Woodson, Jones and Moses are all starters, and none of them were full-go on Wednesday.
Thursday and Friday's injury report will paint an even clearer picture of who may or may not be suited up when kickoff rolls around on Sunday, but for now, it looks like Las Vegas could be facing a short-staffed New England team, or at least one not playing at 100% and short on reps and preparation.
Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Christian Barmore, Mack Hollins and others would be big losses for New England
Gonzalez is one of the best cornerbacks in the league; there is a reason that he is getting paid $135 million over the next four years. He would be the one to follow Brock Bowers around the field, which would make life tougher for the star tight end. But Gonzalez missed Week 4 and Wednesday...
Davis is the starting cornerback opposite Gonzalez, and he is a very good veteran player as well. But with both him and Gonzalez missing practice, and backups Channing Canada and Charles Woods both limited on Wednesday as well, this Patriots secondary isn't getting a lot of pre-game reps.
Craig Woodson is a great safety on the back end for New England as well, and if the cornerback room is not healthy, the Patriots will really need him to shore up the secondary. But he was limited, too, so it seems like the ailments are just piling up for their defensive backfield up there in the Northeast.
Christian Barmore is also a force on the interior for the New England defense, alongside edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones. Both are adequate pass rushers and good run defenders, so the Raiders' ability to protect the quarterback and inability to run the ball would be tested with both of them in the lineup.
If they don't play, that makes things significantly easier for Las Vegas.
Linebacker Christian Elliss is also great at making tackles in the run game, and with him limited, the Patriots' line of defense is even thinner. With both depth and starters limited or absent, the Raiders' offense could be in for a big day against a crew of banged-up players, backups or worse.
Offensively, Maye's "injury" is a nothing burger. But Rhamondre Stevenson and Mack Hollins are two of the team's best weapons, and with A.J. Brown already on IR, this New England skill position group could be depleted when they take the field. That would be an advantage for Las Vegas.
Moses is also a league-average right tackle, but if the Patriots have to start a backup against Maxx Crosby, they may struggle immensely with the ball. Crosby can beat the best of the best, so he can certainly dominate a backup or a mundane tackle who is a step slower as he deals with an injury.
Getting prepared for a good Raiders team is a tall enough task for New England, but getting healthy is also paramount as they get ready for Las Vegas. Nobody here is wishing injury on any Patriots, but it would be foolish to act like ailments to big-time players won't affect how this game could unfold.
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